As you get older, it is not only your skin that ages, but also your teeth. Aging affects all parts of the body and teeth and gums are no exception. While aging teeth affect everyone, there are certain health conditions that are more prevalent in older adults so certain remedies can help your overall oral health.
How Can Age Affect Your Teeth?
As you age, your cells regenerate slower, your tissue becomes thinner, your bones are weaker, and your immune system can lose some strength. These changes as you age can affect your mouth and cause oral problems down the line. Some oral health problems that can occur include the following:
- Yeast infection within the mouth (also known as thrush)
- Problems with tasting, swallowing, or chewing food
- Sores in the mouth
- Gum diseases or decaying of the teeth
If you do not take care of your teeth and gums properly, some more serious oral health conditions that may occur include:
- Gingivitis
- Cavities
- Oral Cancer
- Periodontitis
How Do You Protect Your Teeth And Gums From Aging?
There are multiple ways in which you can protect your teeth and gums from aging as fast as well as preventing the aforementioned oral health problems. These methods include:
- Brush Your Teeth Effectively
When it comes to brushing your teeth, it is recommended that you do so at least twice a day. Rather than using a hard-bristled toothbrush, it is highly recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush along with a good toothpaste for ultimate cleaning.
- Floss
Flossing is important to get all of the junk that hides in between your teeth out. It is recommended to floss at least once a day if not more.
- Dentist Check-Ups
While some fear the dentist, it is necessary to see the dentist so that they can monitor your teeth. They will be able to catch potential problems before they occur or get worse.
- Eat Proper Foods
Sweet and sugary foods are not good for your teeth and can rapidly increase decay in both your gums and your teeth. For this reason, it is important to try and decrease the amount of sugary foods that you eat.
- Avoid Smoking
Smoking can have adverse effects on your teeth and gums and actually cause oral cancer. Because of this, to reduce your risk of gum disease or cancer, stop smoking.
When Should You See A Doctor/Dentist?
If your tooth decay or gum decay gets to a certain level, it is dire that you call and schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. The symptoms to look out for include the following:
- Severe tooth pain
- Swollen gums
- Dry or cotton mouth
- Sores
- Patches in the mouth (red or white)
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
Overall, tooth decay and aging can affect anyone, so it is important that you take care of your mouth now so that you prevent further aging in the future. If you do not take care of your teeth and gums, you put yourself at risk to face further oral health conditions and problems.
Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list.
Written By:
Abigail Wise is an aspiring teacher, writer, and editor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education with an emphasis in Creative Writing as well as working towards her teaching credential. She hopes to receive her Masters of Arts in English as well as go on to be a full-time teacher, writer, and editor.
Reviewed By:
Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.