Your teeth are amazing and they work hard! After years of chomping, crunching, grinding, and gnawing, it’s no surprise that they will show signs of age over time. However, one of the best things you can do to help yourself look younger and improve your overall health is to take care of your teeth.
Stay Younger with Regular Checkups and Dental Cleanings
Although you may no longer be school age, you can still get cavities! Tooth decay in older adults is a regular occurrence, often occurring at the base of the tooth near the gum line where the gums have receded. Avoid problems and keep your teeth looking great with regular cleanings and checkups at the dentist.
Teeth Aren’t Invincible
A lifetime of eating acidic foods, fizzy drinks, smoking, and alcohol all take their toll on the teeth. Weakened enamel can result and cause breaks or cracks in the teeth leaving them exposed to inflammation and bacteria.
Avoid tooth infections by drinking plenty of water and visiting your dentist at least twice each year.
Electrify Your Cleaning
It can be difficult to brush your teeth thoroughly as you get older, especially if you have arthritis.
Quick Tip: invest in an electric toothbrush to help you with the daily cleaning of your teeth! Electric toothbrushes are a great way to get a deeper clean, fresher breath, and avoid dental problems.
Brighten Your Smile
One of the least expensive options to regain a youthful appearance is to have your teeth whitened! The dentist offers a range of choices that will remove the yellowing and staining from tea, red wine, coffee, tobacco, and age. Talk to your dentist about options that will have you smiling ear-to-ear.
Brace for Change
As we age, our gums soften and recede causing our teeth to loosen and shift. The jawbone can also deteriorate resulting in tooth loss. These conditions can lead to lost teeth that can cause your cheeks to sink and age you unnecessarily. From invisible braces to veneers and everything in between, visit your dentist regularly to discuss options to keep your mouth healthy and functioning well.
Wet Your Whistle
As we age, we often have to deal with increased medications that can cause dry mouth as a side effect. Not only can lack of saliva be uncomfortable and make it difficult to chew and eat, but it can also lead to bad breath, infection, and increase the risk of gum disease. Make sure you are drinking more water every day!
