Nearly 1 in 5 adults 65 or older have untreated tooth decay, thanks to issues like dry mouth and receding gums. Even if you survived the “cavity-prone years” of yore, you may suddenly be finding yourself back under the drill. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and imagine massaging - not scrubbing - gums. “People might think their teeth feel dirty or they haven't been to a dentist in a while, so they brush hard - which causes inflammation, and gums begin to recede,” explains Lisa Thompson, a dentist and program director of the geriatric dental fellowship at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. If your teeth look longer than they once did, it may be partly because you're brushing too hard. The answer: Give yourself a tooth massage Use floss or a small interdental brush to reach in between teeth once a day, and use an antibacterial rinse after cleaning your teeth. The answer: Brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes (the time it takes to listen to Queen's “We Will Rock You"). Bleeding gums don't just mean potential tooth loss the underlying inflammation increases your risk of health issues including heart disease and Alzheimer's. A full 68 percent of adults age 65 and older have gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your gums bleed when you brush, it usually means there is plaque buildup on teeth that is inflaming the gums. (Wrapping a washcloth, or anything that will thicken the grip, around the handle will also work.) When you brush, hold on to the tennis ball,” he says. “Slice into a tennis ball on opposite ends and feed the toothbrush handle through. Calabrese, clinical professor and director of geriatric dental medicine at Boston University. But if you are more comfortable with an old-fashioned toothbrush, try this trick from dentist Joseph M. If you have mobility or dexterity issues that make toothbrushing difficult, the solution can be as simple as switching to an electric toothbrush, which has a wider handle and does a lot of the work for you. So we asked the experts for their best do-it-yourself tips for caring for older teeth and treating common tooth-related problems. One 2021 survey from the American Dental Association found that more than 30 percent of dentists said their patients had more cavities and gum disease than before the pandemic. That means many of us are playing catch-up at home. When acting as a caregiver, help older individuals brush and floss their teeth if they are not able to perform these activities independently.The pandemic has been tough on our teeth.See your doctor or a dentist if you have sudden changes in taste and smell.If dry mouth cannot be avoided, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco products and alcohol. If your medication causes dry mouth, ask your doctor for a different medication that may not cause this condition.Treating gum disease may help lower your blood sugar level. This will decrease risk for other complications, including gum disease. If you have diabetes, work to maintain control of the disease.Visit your dentist at least once a year, even if you have no natural teeth or have dentures.Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day and floss daily between the teeth to remove dental plaque. Drink fluoridated water and brush with fluoride toothpaste.Here are some things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth and strong teeth. You can keep your teeth for your lifetime.
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