How to Keep Your Smile Healthy as You Age

Posted November 20, 2017.

Dental treatments have the ability to prolong a healthy smile for far longer than our forefathers could imagine. Still, aging does increase your vulnerability to dry mouth, gum disease, cancer in the mouth, and even oral thrush. But you can take measures in your day-to-day activities to protect your smile as you age. The goal is to keep your gums and teeth healthy for a lifetime of smiles.

Fluoride: An easy way to help your tooth enamel stay strong is to increase the amount of fluoride exposure. You can safely do this by taking fluoride tablets, brush daily with fluoride toothpaste, or talk to our dentist about fluoride treatment. You can also check your city’s water to see if they are currently adding fluoride to your tap water supply.

Tobacco: One of the most common causes of oral cancer is tobacco use, in any form. This toxic substance increases the incidences of decay in your oral tissues, including causing halitosis and dry mouth. We highly recommend seeking out a tobacco cessation program to help you kick this habit to the curb.

Staying Hydrated: Aging brings with it dry mouth, often because certain medications come with dry mouth as a side effect. If your medications are causing this oral condition in your smile, you may want to speak with your doctor about switching to another medication that doesn’t cause dehydration. To increase your water daily water intake, limit sodas and alcohol, and chew sugar-free gum.

Oral Rinse: Using an oral rinse along with brushing and flossing can help reduce the levels of plaque in your mouth. Plaque is a leading contributor to tooth decay and gum disease. We recommend looking for oral products carrying the ADA seal of approval on the packaging.

Incorporating these tips into your daily care as you age, combined with routine dental checkups and cleanings with our dentist, can protect your smile as you age. Call our Sachs Family Dental team in Orem Utah at 801-225-4701 to schedule a visit with Dr. Steven Sachs today!