Advanced age oral health is just as important as it was in your youth. Though it may be more difficult for you, or your loved one, to commit to daily dental hygiene making oral health a priority is vital for our senior clients. Due to medication and chronic diseases, seniors are at an increased risk for oral issues.
Some issues that are commonly found in seniors include darkened teeth, dry mouth, diminished sense of taste, root decay, gum disease, uneven jawbone, denture-induced stomatitis, and thrush. There are ways to minimize the likelihood and severity of these issues and we are going to tell you how.
What To Do For A Healthy Routine
Whether you are looking to refresh your routine or begin your journey towards healthy oral care it is never too late to start applying these steps to your daily routine. If you, or your loved one, requires additional care support there may be some hesitancy in requesting assistance with dental care. Discussing a plan of care with your loved one and care provider will encourage comfort and independence. The oral routine should include brushing teeth twice a day with a soft to medium toothbrush, flossing at least once a day, rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash, and scheduling regular dental screenings.
Dentures
Partial and complete dentures offer comfort and confidence for not only our senior clients but for anyone missing teeth. Caring for your dentures requires the same commitment as caring for your original set of teeth. Proper care should include daily brushing with a denture care product that is non-abrasive and left in water or a cleaning solution overnight or a minimum of four hours a day. After removing your dentures your gums, tongue, and palate should be brushed gently with a soft toothbrush. Keeping your dentures clean avoids stains, swollen gums, and bad breath.
What To Look Out For
There are a few things to keep an eye out for when performing your daily oral routine. Numbness, swelling, red or white patches in your mouth, pain in one ear or loss of hearing in one ear, spots and lumps in the mouth, lips, and throat that are uncomfortable or sore, trouble swallowing, chewing, moving your jaw or tongue. If you notice that these symptoms persist for more than two weeks we recommend booking an appointment as soon as possible, as you might be dealing with a severe oral issue or dental emergency.
Come By Mountain Shadows Today
Interested in dentures? Dr. Lere has been creating dentures and partial dentures for over eight years and would be happy to discuss options with you, contact us today for more information. Our friendly staff is happy to assist you with any questions you may have or to book an appointment for one of our wide arrange of in-house services.