Maintain Your Smile Through Preventive Care

Do you think that losing teeth is inevitable as you age? Though many seniors struggle with teeth loss, as they grow older, that doesn’t have to be the case for you. Most people can maintain their smiles, even as they age, with proper preventive care and prompt restorative care, in the case of a problem. For instance, if you are worried you have a cavity or your gums seem inflamed, it’s time to schedule a dental appointment, before your condition worsens. In most cases, prompt care can help save your tooth, and in turn, your smile!

How Healthy Gums Help Your Teeth

By far the most common cause of tooth loss in adults, including seniors, is gum disease. That’s because, as the disease progresses it can cause your gum tissue to loosen its grip on your teeth, causing them to eventually fall out. Though periodontal disease is common, it’s largely preventable. Regular professional cleanings are one key to preventing its development.

That’s because plaque buildup is the most common cause of gum disease, and plaque, once it has calcified onto your teeth, can only be removed through professional cleaning. While dental care products you use at home and frequent brushing and flossing can help prevent plaque from developing, they are no substitute for professional cleanings.

Health Conditions Can Make Plaque More Likely

For diabetics, this is extra important, as diabetes makes patients more likely to struggle with periodontal disease. People on certain medications may also be more likely to develop gum disease. Often this is because of dry mouth, as a side effect of the medicine.

Saliva is your body’s way of naturally combatting plaque bacteria, so a dry mouth allows an acidic environment to develop, making plaque formation far more likely. Consider a mouth rinse formulated for dry mouth, and also attend regular cleanings if you have noticed a drier mouth due to medication, or just in general.