As we age, it becomes more necessary to take care of our teeth, as it happens with other aspects of our health. There is a misconception that with age, deterioration and consequent loss of teeth are inevitable. However, if we take proper care of our mouths, our teeth can look healthy and beautiful and last a lifetime. Here are some tips to preserve and improve oral health in adulthood:
The Eight Essential Tips To Take Care Of Your Mouth
As we age, it becomes more necessary to take care of our teeth, as it happens with other aspects of health.
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There is a misconception that with age, deterioration and consequent loss of teeth are inevitable. However, if we take proper care of our mouths, our teeth can look healthy and beautiful and last a lifetime. Here are some tips to preserve and improve oral health in adulthood:
1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Do it after every meal and slowly, with short, elliptical movements, paying special attention to the gums, back teeth (hard to reach), and the areas around the crowns of teeth and fillings. Don’t forget to brush your tongue from back to front to move odor-producing bacteria. Also, replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner when the bristles are bent.
2. Use dental floss
Flossing helps remove plaque that builds up between the teeth and under the gums, where cavities and periodontal disease often begin.
3. Watch your diet
The diet you follow has a great influence on the health of your mouth. The ideal is to eat a varied and balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, do not snack between meals, and moderate consumption of sweets and sugars.
4. Stop smoking
This unhealthy habit increases the risk of lung cancer and other types of cancer but also aggravates problems such as gum disease and tooth decay.
Periodontal disease and stress, Regular visits to the aldergrove dentist which is recommended for good oral health.
5. Combat gum problems
Periodontal disease is very common in adults. Periodontal disease is the infection and inflammation of the gum tissue and the bones that support the teeth and is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults. The first stage of the disease is known as gingivitis and the most advanced stage is periodontitis.
Needless to say, poor oral hygiene makes this disease, which originates in bacterial plaque, much worse. The good news is that it can be combated and early diagnosis is key.
6. Avoid stress
Due to the accelerated pace of daily life, every year the number of patients affected by bruxism (involuntary teeth grinding or clenching) increases, which not only wears down the teeth and makes them look unattractive, but can also cause joint problems and headaches. If you detect any of these symptoms, mention them at your next visit to the dentist.
7. Improve the aesthetics of your mouth
It is never too late to show off a healthy and beautiful smile. Nowadays, there are many patients who resort to orthodontics, replace lost teeth thanks to implants, cover-up alterations in the shape and color of teeth with veneers or whiten them with whitening techniques. Well-positioned teeth get dirty less and clean better.
8. Have regular check-ups
See your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and a complete checkup. The dentist’s opinion is key to evaluate the overall condition of your mouth and act in time if you have any problems such as cavities or periodontal disease. The sooner a solution is found, the better the prognosis.
Why Is It Important To Chew Our Food Well?
Every day we feed ourselves, chewing and swallowing different foods. Having healthy teeth will allow us to enjoy our food. The absence of teeth, the presence of decayed or painful teeth, prevents good chewing and therefore favors a poor diet. chewing food well promotes the health of our body. It is recommended to chew food at least 25 times before swallowing.
Benefits of chewing food well
- Chewing several times favors the absorption of nutrients during digestion.
- Eating calmly and consciously helps us to eat in a healthy way. Collaborating in the decrease of body weight.
- We can avoid suffering from gastritis. The saliva produced by chewing food well, produces an alkaline pH that balances the acidity levels in the stomach, preventing reflux and heartburn.
- You enjoy food, its textures, colors, flavors and smells in the best way.
- It can help us to avoid cavities and at the same time take care of our gums.
- The favors and improves the digestion process.
- It helps us against stress, lowers anxiety levels and oxygenates our body better.
Acidic drinks
Carbonated drinks, overflowing with caffeine and sugar, in principle, its purpose is to provide energy to face the challenges of everyday life or extend the fun nights, but its harmful effects on health are increasingly known. But energy drinks can also spoil the most beautiful of smiles. The journal General Dentistry has published the results of research showing that energy drinks destroy tooth enamel. This is because these drinks contain a high level of acidity, which easily degrades the enamel.
They also wanted to study the effects on tooth enamel of isotonic or sports drinks, which are sold as a perfectly healthy product. And they found that they also damage enamel, although the deterioration caused by energy drinks is doubly intense.
Causes of tooth sensitivity
Dentin exposure can occur due to several factors:
- Receding gums due to age or improper tooth brushing.
- Consumption of acidic beverages (such as carbonated water), which causes enamel erosion and dentin exposure.
- Teeth grinding, which can cause a person to experience sensitivity in most, or all, of the teeth.
- Brushing with very abrasive toothpaste and/or brushing incorrectly may result in loss of enamel.
- Gum disease can cause receding gums.
- A chipped or broken tooth can expose dentin.
- A misaligned restoration.
- Teeth whitening, in some patients, has also been known to cause sensitivity.
Dietary guidelines in xerostomia
Xerostomia is the reduction or absence of dental saliva. We can take the following measures to improve its symptoms:
- Drink water frequently. Drink more liquids (2 l/day) and more frequently during and between meals and apply Vaseline on the lips to keep them lubricated.
- Avoid certain foods and dietary habits. Try not to eat foods with a rough texture, spicy, acidic, salty or with extreme temperatures, as they tend to irritate the oral mucosa. Patients should reduce the intake of sugars, increase the intake of soft drinks and reduce the intake of coffee, as well as avoid tobacco and alcohol.
- Eat cheese and vegetables. Cheese contains calcium, phosphates and casein; in addition, aged cheeses increase saliva flow.
- Apply good oral hygiene after meals. It is necessary to allow time for saliva to neutralize acids and repair teeth.
- Increase the use of fluoride and avoid rinses containing alcohol. Fluoride inhibits demineralization, promotes remineralization, and increases the hardness of tooth enamel, making it less soluble to acids.
- It is also advisable to use pharmaceutical products that moisturize the oral cavity and/or stimulate the natural secretion of saliva.
The mouth, a reflection of our general state of health
We must not forget that poor oral health can be an indicator of diseases that we already have or that have not even been diagnosed, as well as leading to others that could be avoided if awareness of the importance of taking care of this part of the body were increased.
Therefore, proper oral hygiene at home, a healthy lifestyle, and regular visits to the dentist contribute to overall health and help your teeth look healthy, beautiful, and last a lifetime. A healthy, clean and cared for the mouth is not only an excellent letter of introduction but also a thermometer of our own health.