Article written by Elite Dental Group.
As dental research improves, researchers now understand that although certain dental issues are common as a person ages, they can be reduced and sometimes even eliminated. Most people think that as a person ages they will lose their teeth. However, this is not true as a human being’s teeth should last a lifetime.
Here are some common misconceptions about a person’s age and the health of their teeth.
Tooth decay – Tooth decay is common when a person is young but can also affect the elderly if they follow poor oral habits. Brushing and flossing twice daily, while following a healthy balanced diet can do wonders to reduce tooth decay.
Gum disease – The risk of gum disease does increase as a person ages but monitoring gum health and visiting a dentist once a year will help with detection and reduce the severity of the illness.
Oral cancer – With age the risk of cancer increases. To reduce your cancer risk, quit smoking, follow a healthy balanced diet, exercise regularly, and improve sleep quality. Cancer screenings are also important to help with early detection.
Dry mouth – Saliva is important to keep cavities and infections at bay. Reductions in saliva occur due to certain medications. To keep your mouth moist, always consume enough water to stay well-hydrated. A dentist can prescribe products that help to manage dry mouth if the issue persists.
Meeting a dentist annually will help seniors maintain a healthy set of teeth and learn habits that will help to reduce oral health issues in the future.
This article is provided by Elite Dental Group. Dr. Andre Eliasian and his team have years of experience in offering their patients medical advice to maintain a healthy smile. Their services include cosmetic dentistry, wisdom tooth extraction, dental implants, tooth whitening, oral surgery, and more. If you are in Glendale, Burbank or neighboring cities call for an appointment.