Making oral health a lifelong priority can be challenging with age. You may notice some discolouration on your teeth from years of consuming tea and coffee and experience an overall dry mouth, a sign of little saliva production often leading to gum disease. While it might not be easy to keep your teeth and gums healthy as you get older, with diligent dental care, regular check-ups at your Maroubra dentist and early intervention, age-related oral health decline can be effectively mitigated.k

Daily Tips from your Maroubra Dentist

Maintaining oral health throughout the golden years can be very simple when following good oral hygiene habits and professional support. To keep your smile bright and healthy beyond your 60’ies, here is what the Maroubra dentist recommends:

– Brushing teeth twice a day 

– Daily flossing

– Using alcohol-free mouthwash

– Drinking fluoridated water  

– Quitting smoking

Should you wear full or partial dentures, clean them thoroughly using a soft brush and cool water to remove any food debris and bacteria before bed. Store the dentures in fresh water to support gum health by allowing them a chance to breathe at night.

Understanding the Age-Related Changes

To give your mature teeth the best care, it is useful to understand the natural internal changes within your mouth, as being aware of these age-related transformations allows us to be more vigilant regarding oral hygiene habits. 

Less Saliva Production

Your saliva keeps mouth tissues flushed of food and bacteria when you are younger. However, as saliva flow steadily slows with age, bacteria accumulate faster, leading to quicker plaque build-up if not removed promptly. 

Gums Recede  

Healthy gums snugly hug your adult teeth to prevent bacteria from entering. Slowly, these can start receding, leaving small spaces for plaque and tartar to accumulate, which might lead to infection and periodontitis disease, a condition prevalent in adults over 65.

Tooth Enamel Thins

As the hard outer layer of your teeth, enamel gradually wears down over decades of use from chewing. Thus, the softer underlayer called dentin becomes exposed, allowing erosion, staining, temperature sensitivity, and faster decay.  

Take Steps to Protect Your Ageing Teeth

With healthy daily habits and regular professional care by a Maroubra dentist, over half of senior Australians retain some or all of their natural teeth for life. This involves proper oral hygiene at home by brushing properly and paying close attention to the gumline. Additional flossing and an antiseptic mouthwash can also help reduce bacteria build-up in areas your toothbrush may miss. 

However, daily home care alone cannot prevent age-related oral disease. Professional care is also vital. Thus, ensure you see your Maroubra dentist at least once a year, if not bi-annually.

Catch Dental Problems Early

Regular dental cleanings and check-ups will give your teeth a deep cleaning beyond what you can achieve on your own, as well as screen for any concerning changes, signs of decay or oral cancer. Hence, it is advisable to see your Maroubra dentist for:

– Plaque removal  

– Early gum disease treatment

– Tooth decay prevention 

– Oral cancer screening

– Ongoing monitoring and maintenance

Protect Your Smile For Life

Oral health becomes only more important as we age. However, partnering home habits with professional care every six months gives you the best chance of keeping your natural smile healthy and vibrant into your later years, as scheduling regular maintenance visits can prevent small problems from becoming serious and extensive to treat.

Contact your trusted Maroubra dentist today for tailored recommendation on caring for your teeth and gums as you age or to schedule your next check-up and dental cleaning appointment.