{"id":380,"date":"2021-08-02T14:29:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T14:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/blog\/?p=380"},"modified":"2021-09-08T17:02:34","modified_gmt":"2021-09-08T17:02:34","slug":"keep-smile-healthy-dental-hygiene-tips-dentist-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/02\/keep-smile-healthy-dental-hygiene-tips-dentist-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Your Smile Healthy with These Dental Hygiene Tips for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_84454167__1609273824_68738-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"senior man and woman brushing their teeth together \" class=\"wp-image-381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_84454167__1609273824_68738-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_84454167__1609273824_68738-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_84454167__1609273824_68738.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As any dentist will tell you, good oral hygiene is important for people of all ages. For people in their twilight years, it\u2019s arguably even more important. That\u2019s because when it comes to your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">dental health<\/a>, you\u2019re at a greater risk for a number of issues as you reach advanced age. Luckily, your dentist is here to help you maintain a healthy smile no matter how old you are. Continue reading to learn some helpful dental hygiene tips for seniors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happens to Your Teeth as You Get Older?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Certain oral conditions become more likely to develop as you age. Fortunately, many of these issues are easy to identify or even prevent when you\u2019re proactive about your dental health. Keep an eye out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Dry mouth<\/strong> \u2013 While aging itself doesn\u2019t necessarily cause dry mouth, many medications or chronic conditions do. Without enough saliva to rinse bacteria out of your mouth, your risk of tooth decay and infections increases.<\/li><li><strong>Gum disease<\/strong> \u2013 The leading cause of adult tooth loss is gum disease. The sooner you recognize the symptoms (swollen, tender, or bleeding gums), the easier your dentist can treat it.<\/li><li><strong>Wear and tear<\/strong> \u2013 As tooth enamel wears down after decades of chewing and grinding, your risk for cavities rises.<\/li><li><strong>Sensitivity <\/strong>\u2013 Thinner enamel exposes more of the underlying layer of dentin, which contains pathways to the tooth\u2019s nerves. These pathways can become irritated by hot or cold stimuli.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Oral Hygiene Tips for Seniors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Just because seniors have a higher risk for oral health problems doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they\u2019re inevitable. To keep your smile in good shape, make sure to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Brush and floss daily<\/strong> \u2013 Remember to brush twice a day for two minutes each session and to floss at least once a day.<\/li><li><strong>Rinse with mouthwash<\/strong> \u2013 An antibacterial mouthwash can reduce plaque buildup in parts of your mouth that your toothbrush and floss can\u2019t quite reach.<\/li><li><strong>Visit your dentist regularly<\/strong> \u2013 Even if all of your teeth have been replaced with dentures, getting your gums checked regularly can stop potential health problems in their tracks.<\/li><li><strong>Avoid tobacco<\/strong> \u2013 All forms of tobacco have been linked to oral cancer as well as gum disease and many other serious health issues. Ask your dentist or doctor if you need help quitting.<\/li><li><strong>Limit your sugar intake<\/strong> \u2013 It\u2019s no secret that eating lots of sugar increases your risk of tooth decay.<\/li><li><strong>Stay hydrated<\/strong> \u2013 To combat dry mouth, drink plenty of water throughout the day. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You\u2019re Never Too Old for a Healthy Smile!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter your age, a healthy smile always looks great. By keeping up with your oral hygiene at home and seeing your dentist for seniors on a regular basis, you can maintain a pristine set of pearly whites for a lifetime!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At D\u2019Andrea and Pantera, DMD, PC, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/meet-the-dentists.html\">team of dentists<\/a> consists of two father-and-son duos. Dr. Ronald J. D\u2019Andrea, Dr. Kevin B. D\u2019Andrea, Dr. Robert M. Pantera, and Dr. Brett M. Pantera all strive to exceed their patients\u2019 expectations in all of the services they provide. They enjoy helping patients of all ages maintain healthy smiles. If you\u2019re looking for a dentist for seniors in Hamden, CT, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpmgeneraldentistry.com\/contact-us.html\">contact<\/a> their practice at 203-288-0951.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As any dentist will tell you, good oral hygiene is important for people of all ages. For people in their twilight years, it\u2019s arguably even more important. That\u2019s because when it comes to your dental health, you\u2019re at a greater risk for a number of issues as you reach advanced age. Luckily, your dentist is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Dental Hygiene Tips for Seniors | Dentist for Seniors | DP General Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Some oral health issues become more common as we age. 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