4 Reasons Why You Must Look After Your Teeth as You Age

As you age, your oral health often changes. If you don’t take care of your teeth and visit your Calgary family dentist regularly, you may experience dental health problems that could lead to serious medical problems, such as respiratory infections and cardiovascular disease. Here are four reasons why senior dental care is so important. 

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As people age, certain aspects of daily life tend to fall by the wayside, and unfortunately, proper dental care is one of the major elements of personal health and hygiene that is sometimes neglected by older adults. 

Why Senior Dental Care is So Important 

Dental health is linked to whole-body wellness, which is why it is so important for seniors to maintain regular visits to their Calgary dentist and practice proper oral care. In fact, ignoring your oral health might put you at higher risk for certain medical conditions, including: 

• Pneumonia 
• Cardiovascular disease
• Endocarditis 
• Diabetes 

Our Calgary Family Dentists and Dental Hygienists Are Available for Emergency Dental Care During COVID-19 

While our Calgary dental clinic remains temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 situation, our family dentists and hygienists are available for emergency dental care, including treatment of a tooth abscess, jaw pain, oral injury, and more. 

We are also offering telehealth dental services at our Calgary clinic and we will be checking our phones and emails periodically to ensure your dental health is supported and maintained during this difficult time. 

Want to know more? 

EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE DURING COVID-19 IN CALGARY
 

4 Reasons Why You Must Take Care of Your Teeth As You Age 

Even very simple dental issues, such as a tooth abscess or gum disease, can directly impact the health of the rest of your body, which is why they must be taken seriously. Ultimately, it is just as important for seniors to take care of their teeth and gums as it is their heart and digestive health. 

Here are four reasons why you must take good care of your teeth as you age: 

1. Lower risk of gum disease: Your gums naturally recede as you age, exposing tooth surfaces and roots to bacteria that may cause decay. Regular visits to your dentist and teeth cleanings by a dental hygienist, as well as daily brushing and flossing, can keep this decay under control. 

2. It can prevent your teeth from cracking: With age, tooth enamel can become brittle and prone to cracking. That’s why it’s important to protect your teeth by choosing foods that are easy to chew, and to avoid biting hard substances such as ice chips and popcorn kernels. If you do experience pain while consuming certain foods and drinks, you should contact your Calgary dentist as soon as possible.

3. You’ll maintain a whiter smile: As you get older, dentin, a bone-like tissue underneath the enamel layer of your teeth, begins to change, due to the foods and drinks you consume. A combination of staining and the thinning of the outer enamel can cause your teeth to darken, which is why it’s so important to stick to a healthy diet and quit habits such as smoking. 

4. Good oral hygiene can lower your risk of pneumonia: Poor oral health has been connected to pneumonia in older adults. Because air has to pass through the mouth and throat to enter the lungs, it is possible to inhale bacteria. Older people are more susceptible to this due to weakened immune systems, and proper oral hygiene is key to reducing the amount of this potentially harmful bacteria.  

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SENIOR DENTAL CARE IN ALBERTA
 

6 Tips To Improve Senior Dental Care 

While visiting your dentist is one of the most important ways to ensure you maintain optimal oral health as you age, there are some other simple steps you can take at home to look after your teeth and gums. 

These include: 

1. Use a soft-bristled brush. A soft-bristle brush is recommended because it is gentle enough to protect your gums, yet flexible enough to access those tough-to-reach food particles, bacteria, and other substances that get stuck in your teeth. 

2. Consider buying an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are easier to use and they are more effective at removing plaque.

How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly

3. Use floss. Clean between your teeth at least once a day with floss. If you find it difficult to use floss, talk to your dentist about using an interdental cleaner. 

4. Look after your dentures properly. If you wear dentures, make sure to remove them for the night and clean them properly. 

5. Stop smoking. Besides putting you at greater risk of developing oral cancer, smoking also increases your risk for having problems such as tooth loss, decay, and gum disease.

How To Take Care of Your Gum Health

6. Eat a healthy diet. Make sure to follow a well-balanced diet that includes high-fibre foods and dairy. 
 

Have a Dental Emergency or Question About Your Oral Health?

If you have a question about your oral health, or you think you have a dental emergency, our Calgary dentists are only a phone call away. We will ask you for information regarding your situation and advise you on any necessary next steps. If you do need to visit the clinic, we will book an appointment.

To find out more, contact us at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.