Getting older can impact oral health in several ways. Teeth may become more vulnerable to decay as gums recede, exposing tooth roots. Fillings can weaken over time as well. It's important to brush twice daily, floss daily, see the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups, and avoid sugary snacks and drinks between meals to prevent problems with teeth and gums. Taking care of dentures is also crucial, as is drinking plenty of water daily even if not thirsty. Seeing the dentist right away if any issues like bleeding gums, bad breath or mouth pain arise is advised.

1. Getting older? Why your Teeth and Clean the back surfaces of the teeth as well
Gums are Important for Good Health as the front, and clean between the teeth with
dental tape or floss. If you have a bridge in
your mouth (a device which attaches artificial
teeth to natural teeth), clean and floss the
Keeping our teeth into old age is an natural teeth supporting the bridge very
advantage because it makes it easier to carefully. You can also protect teeth by
chew fresh fruit and vegetables - foods which avoiding sugary snacks and sweet soft drinks
contain important nutrients and fiber that help between meals. If you like sweet drinks and
prevent many diseases. When older people foods, have them at meal times only -
who have difficulty chewing eat only soft, between meals, drink water and eat healthy
processed foods, their health may suffer as a snacks which aren’t sugary or sticky.
result. Like the rest of the body, the mouth When should I see a
changes with age - but understanding these dentist?
changes makes it easier to maintain a Don’t wait for things to go
healthy mouth and teeth. wrong - see a dentist for
regular check ups. It
Why does my mouth feel dry?
makes it easier to spot
Although this is partly because we produce
early signs of tooth decay,
less saliva as we age, a dry mouth is often a
as well as gum disease
side effect of medication - your doctor or
which can lead to tooth
pharmacist can tell you if your medication
loss. See a dentist if you
may be a cause. If your mouth feels dry, do
have symptoms of gum disease such as
something about it – your mouth needs saliva
bleeding or inflamed gums, persistent bad
to wash away food debris and help prevent
breath or a change in the appearance of the
tooth decay. A dentist or pharmacist can
gums. Because oral cancer is more common
recommend an oral moisturizing gel.
in people over 45, see a doctor or dentist
Mouthwashes can help keep the mouth moist
about any persistent mouth ulcers or lumps.
too, and sugarless chewing gum can
stimulate more saliva. It’s also good (for What if I have dentures?
general health as well as your mouth) to drink Caring for dentures is as important as caring
plenty of water each day even if you don’t for natural teeth. Clean all denture surfaces
feel thirsty. daily - you can use dishwashing soaps or
detergents applied with a brush. Store
Is tooth decay a problem with age?
dentures in water when you’re not using them
Aging can contribute to decay for two
- add antibacterial denture tablets to the
reasons. One is that gums tend to recede,
water if you like, but they’re no substitute for
exposing the roots of teeth to plaque - the
daily cleaning. Don’t put up with any
sticky substance that forms on teeth and
discomfort with dentures - always have them
causes decay. These roots are more
checked.
vulnerable to decay than the rest of the tooth.
Another problem is that fillings in teeth
Text by the New South Wales Multicultural Health Communication
weaken with time, allowing bacteria to creep Services (http://mhcs.health.nsw.gov.au) Software by Healthway
in and cause decay. Software ©2002 This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License
How can I prevent problems with teeth http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
.
and gums? A Healthy Roads Media project
By brushing teeth carefully twice a day, using www.healthyroadsmedia.org
Getting Older? Why Teeth and Gums are Important for Good Health –
fluoride toothpaste to help prevent decay. English (Last reviewed 2/2008)