5 Ways aging affects your dental health

How aging affects your dental health
Photo: Shutterstock

Did you know dental health and hygiene becomes increasingly important with every birthday?

There is no way to deny that as we age, particularly after we reach our 50’s, that our bodies, begin to change in ways we never experienced.

There’s menopause for women and there’s that slight paunch no amount of exercise can seem to take away for men.

But also, our eyes begin to fail, we lose hair or it turns gray, we lose flexibility, and our teeth—even if we lived a healthy life and brush twice a day—become prey to decay and gum disease.

Here are five interesting facts that will help keep your teeth healthy:

Gum disease affects your heart

If you suffer from serious or prolonged gum disease, you run the risk of heart disease.

While evidence does not seem one hundred percent conclusive, studies point to a link between the two.

Keeping your gums healthy will help keep your heart healthy.

Dental health & hygiene are increasingly important as you age. Tips and tricks to keep all of your teeth and also your overall health!
Photo: Pexels

Carbs, acids and medicine can cause tooth decay

Bacteria is what actually causes tooth decay so any carb can break down into bacteria.

Meanwhile acidic foods will weaken the teeth’s enamel.

And for older people who might be taking a number of medications; these can sometimes dry your mouth and saliva is something that helps protect your teeth.

You don’t always have a toothache when you have a cavity

Sometimes people have cavities and never notice.

Other times the cavity can get infected and this causes pain because of the pressure from the swelling.

But sometimes the abscess or infection drains itself relieving the pressure and thus relieving the symptoms.

Also Read: 8 Tips for healthy aging at any age!

How aging affects your dental health
Photo: Pexels

Baking soda is a natural tooth cleaning substance

At the dental hygienist they will wash out your mouth with baking soda and water.

Some toothpastes have baking soda in them.

But if you really care about your teeth you can brush with toothpaste, and then also brush with baking soda.

This will benefit not only your teeth but your gums.

Dental health & hygiene are increasingly important as you age. Tips and tricks to keep all of your teeth and also your overall health!
Photo: Pexels

You should get your teeth professionally cleaned more than twice a year

Sure it will cost you more because the insurance only pays for one cleaning every six months, but it won’t hurt you to have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist every three months.

So each cleaning might cost you a couple of hundred out of pocket, but it can save you thousands in the end

We spend a lot of money maintaining our cars and houses.

Why not our teeth and therefore our general health?

Did you know dental health and hygiene becomes increasingly important with every birthday? There is no way to deny that as we age, particularly after we reach our 50’s, that our bodies, begin to change in ways we never experienced.  #health #teeth #midlife #aging #over50
Viva Fifty!

Viva Fifty! is an online bilingual and multicultural community that celebrates your best age. Midlife and beyond.

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