Throughout your life, your oral health needs constantly change. While you were younger, brushing, flossing, and regular visits to your dentist may have been enough to keep your smile healthy. Now that you have reached your Golden Years, you have more advanced needs, especially if you wear dentures in Pasadena. To ensure that your dental needs are met, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind when caring for your smile.
Caring for Your Aging Smile
It is estimated that 30% of older adults have untreated tooth decay while more than 25% of those over the age of 65 have gum disease. Both factors contribute to tooth loss, which will occur for more than 30% of older adults.
To prevent cavities and gum disease, you know that you need to brush and floss your teeth every day to remove harmful plaque and bacteria accumulations. Unfortunately, now that you are older, it is not as easy as it used to be.
It is not uncommon to develop difficulties holding a standard toothbrush, especially when living with arthritis. To make brushing easier, consider an electric toothbrush. If flossing has become a challenge, many people have come to prefer water flossers as an alternative to traditional floss.
Caring for Your Dentures
If you have found yourself among those who are missing teeth, you have likely turned to dentures to complete your smile. While they are an affordable and convenient solution to replace your teeth, they still require care.
If you do not take the time to clean them daily, it can lead to unpleasant odors and bacteria accumulations. In addition to caring for them at home, you must also visit your dentist in Pasadena regularly to have them adjusted. If you do not, it can lead to slipping and irritation. This can result in sores and infections.
To keep your smile healthy, it is best to:
- Clean your dentures and partials daily.
- Remove your dentures at night.
- Drink tap water.
- Stop smoking
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year.
While adjusting to life with dentures, it is important to remember:
- You will need time to adjust to them.
- If sores or irritation develop, contact your dentist right away.
- If you lose or gain weight, you may need to have your dentures adjusted.
- Use the proper amount of denture adhesive.
- Give your mouth a break from wearing them.
- Soak them in a cleaning solution when they are not in your mouth.
- Protect them from excessive heat, which may cause them to warp.
- Clean them well every day.
Dentures are an excellent solution to replace your missing teeth. With the right care, they will improve your quality of life to make the most of your Golden Years.
About Dr. Kimber Holmes
For more than 20 years, Dr. Kimber Holmes has provided comprehensive dentistry to the community for patients of all ages. She provides personalized solutions to help her patients achieve healthy smiles through all stages of life. If it has been more than 6 months since your last visit, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.