One common misconception is that losing your teeth is inevitable. … If cared for properly, your teeth can last a lifetime. Your mouth changes as you age. The nerves in your teeth can become smaller, making your teeth less sensitive to cavities or other problems. Saliva helps clean teeth and protects your mouth from decay. But as you get older, your mouth gets drier and your odds of tooth decay go up.
Medications: More than 1800 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter list dry mouth as a side effect. Many are common medications, such as antihistamines and antidepressants. XyliMelts may be helpful.
Transportation: Patients who no longer drive may find getting a ride to the dentist difficult. There are many senior services that can help with transportation and your support of getting to the dentist. Consider asking friends and family to volunteer-or pay them to provide rides. Sometimes senior organizations, churches, and synagogues have volunteer drivers.
Health Issues: Health issues may cause getting to the dentist a difficult task. Having treatments or being tired may make you put the dentist on the back burner, however, keeping up with oral health is important to your overall wellbeing.
We constantly hear patients say that it is so important for them to keep as many of their teeth as possible.
What else can you do?
Cut those sugars and snacks!! Limiting your snacks and removing sweets from your diet is very important. Try cut up fruit as a substitute.
Water, not juice. A glass of 100% juice a day is fine, but try to find one that does not have added sugar. Water should make up the rest of your day.
See your dentist for regular check-ups, don’t put off anything that is painful and see your dental hygienist twice a year for cleanings.