4 Ways to Show Your Smile Love in Your Senior Years

As the years go on, your health requires a bit more extra care than it did when you were younger. This includes your oral health, too! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 96% of people over 65 have had at least one cavity and 1 in 5 of them have untreated tooth decay. By taking extra care of your smile, you can be sure to keep it whole and healthy for years to come. Read on to learn four ways to keep your oral health in top condition throughout your senior years.

#1: Be Consistent with Your Oral Health Routine

When you give your smile the proper care it needs day in and day out, you are helping to ensure that your teeth and gums will remain in excellent condition for as many years as possible. It’s essential to implement the “two and two rule”: brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. Additionally, be sure to floss at least once daily. This will clean the remaining 40% of your teeth’s surface that brushing may have missed. As a bonus, you can also clean your tongue and use mouthwash regularly to keep your grin extra fresh!

#2: Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months  

While regularly maintaining your dental health routine will help keep your teeth and gums healthy, you still need to go to your biannual dental visits. This gives your dentist the opportunity to thoroughly clean and examine your pearly whites. They can remove any plaque buildup and check for signs of tooth decay. Your dental team can also catch and treat any oral health issues, such as gum disease and oral cancer, before they become more serious.

#3: Limit Your Sugar Intake

It can be tempting to indulge in sweet treats too often. From ice cream to soda to sugar in your coffee, your smile can be exposed to a lot of sugar throughout the day. Unfortunately, sugar with bad bacteria in your mouth begins to erode your tooth enamel, increasing your risk of decay and cavities. By being mindful of how much sugar you consume on a daily basis, you will be sure to protect your teeth and gums and keep them healthy.

#4: Stay Away from Bad Oral Habits

Do you have the mindless habit of chewing on straws or ice cubes? Do you open packages with your teeth? Or perhaps you use tobacco products? These harmful oral habits can greatly impact the health of your smile. You leave yourself susceptible to chipping, staining, or damaging your teeth. Additionally, smoking has been linked to mouth and throat cancer, heart disease, and other serious medical conditions. By avoiding these habits altogether, you will keep your overall health and grin in good shape!

There is beauty in aging gracefully by taking care of yourself. By showing extra love to your smile, you can keep it healthy for years to come!

About the Author

Dr. Ahmed Saad and his team at Pace Dental of Vienna are eager to help you keep your smile whole, healthy, and beautiful throughout every stage of life. He earned his dental doctorate at the USC School of Dentistry and has completed a significant amount of continuing education courses to be up-to-date with dental practices and techniques. With over 15 years of experience, he offers a comprehensive range of services, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency care. To schedule an appointment, contact him through his website or by phone at (703) 991-4178.