As we age we are more susceptible to oral health complications, such as tooth decay, gum disease, dry mouth, and oral cancer to name a few. With diligent oral hygiene and consistent care from your dental team, you can help prevent these conditions from taking root and have a smile that lasts you a lifetime.

First things first… let’s get to the bottom of what causes changes in your dental health as you age. Why do we become more susceptible to gum disease, sensitivity, and other health issues?

• Gum Disease: Unfortunately, this is quite common in those over the age of 50, due to unhealthy habits or underlying health issues. In addition to regular dental visits with Birch Dental, the best protection against gum disease is proper dental hygiene including brushing twice for a minimum of two minutes each time, and daily flossing.
• Sensitivity: Your gums naturally recede over time, exposing areas of the tooth not naturally protected by enamel. Symptoms of receding gums may include a sharp shooting pain when enjoying cold or hot foods or beverages. If you become prone to such pain, try a toothpaste designed for sensitivity and ensure that you share your symptoms with your dentist in North Whitby. Any severe pain could be a result of something more serious, such as a cracked tooth or cavity.
• Other Health Issues: We often see seniors in our North Whitby clinic who have been diagnosed with other conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, etc. These can lead to an increased risk of gum disease. The more you dentist knows about your overall health, the better they can advise you on how to protect your smile.
• Dry Mouth: This occurs when the flow of saliva is reduced. This can be a natural cause of aging or brought on as a side effect of some medications. The answer is to increase your water intake, enjoy foods that help you produce saliva, and visit with your dentist who may provide treatments or medications as required.
• Trouble Brushing: As we ag our dexterity can become compromised. If you have a hard time holding your toothbrush or maneuvering around your teeth, there are some hacks to help you manage your oral hygiene more easily. Consider adding something to the handle of the toothbrush to make it easier to grip (sponge, foam); lengthen the toothbrush handle with a stick or rod; bend the toothbrush handle to allow for different angles; or change to an electric toothbrush.

Your best protection against any changes to your oral health is through regular dental checkups with our Birch Dental team. Prioritizing your dental health is your best path to early detection; however, the best protection is maintaining good oral hygiene habits, always. From 0 to 99, dental care should always remain a priority.