It becomes even more crucial to take the time to properly brush and maintain your dental health and teeth as you get older. Often, people believe it is impossible to avoid losing their teeth as they age. Fortunately, this is just a misconception. If you take the time to care for your oral health, your teeth can last your entire lifetime.
Aging can cause a variety of changes in your mouth. For example, as the years pass, the nerves located in your teeth begin to shrink. This causes your teeth to lose their sensitivity to cavities. Without regular dental care, you may not realize you have a problem until it has progressed into something even more serious.
To help keep your teeth and gums healthy, even as you age, try following these steps:
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush (or an electric toothbrush) to thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Always use floss or some type of flossing tool to perform regular cleaning between your teeth
- Consider drinking tap water since it usually contains fluoride (this helps guard your teeth against decay)
See your dentist for regular dental exams
