How to Care for Your Teeth As a Senior Citizen
Visit your dentist for regular dental hygiene checkups., Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush (unless otherwise specified by your dentist) and rinse with mouthwash., Brush well., Floss to remove plaque between teeth and below...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Visit your dentist for regular dental hygiene checkups.
This means at least once yearly. -
Step 2: Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush (unless otherwise specified by your dentist) and rinse with mouthwash.
Brushing helps remove food and plaque on both natural teeth and dentures.
It also helps prevent development of permanent stains. , If you are having trouble reaching all areas of your mouth when brushing, look into obtaining a special toothbrush that is able to clean hard-to-reach areas.
When brushing dentures, use a brush with soft bristles that is specifically designed for cleaning dentures. , These are the areas where where your toothbrush can’t reach. , If you wear full or partial dentures, be sure they fit properly and that you are using the correct amount of denture cream.
If you experience discomfort, or if you are using more than one tube of denture cream every three weeks, your dentures may not fit properly and should be evaluated.
Visit your dentist to see if they need to be adjusted. , Tell your dentist about any medical conditions, recent operations, allergies, and medications you may be taking, or changes to your medications.
This will avoid the potential for adverse interactions with the medications that your dentist may prescribe. , Check for red, swollen, bleeding gums when you brush.
If you have these symptoms, see a dentist; these maybe signs of gingivitis. , These are signs of oral cancer that should be quickly examined by your dentist. -
Step 3: Brush well.
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Step 4: Floss to remove plaque between teeth and below the gum line.
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Step 5: Check dentures for fit.
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Step 6: Alert your dentist about medical conditions.
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Step 7: Know the warning signs that indicate your mouth may be at risk of infection.
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Step 8: Watch for red or white patches on your gums
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Step 9: cheeks or tongue
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Step 10: sores that fail to heal within two weeks
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Step 11: or an unusual hard spot on the side of your tongue.
Detailed Guide
This means at least once yearly.
Brushing helps remove food and plaque on both natural teeth and dentures.
It also helps prevent development of permanent stains. , If you are having trouble reaching all areas of your mouth when brushing, look into obtaining a special toothbrush that is able to clean hard-to-reach areas.
When brushing dentures, use a brush with soft bristles that is specifically designed for cleaning dentures. , These are the areas where where your toothbrush can’t reach. , If you wear full or partial dentures, be sure they fit properly and that you are using the correct amount of denture cream.
If you experience discomfort, or if you are using more than one tube of denture cream every three weeks, your dentures may not fit properly and should be evaluated.
Visit your dentist to see if they need to be adjusted. , Tell your dentist about any medical conditions, recent operations, allergies, and medications you may be taking, or changes to your medications.
This will avoid the potential for adverse interactions with the medications that your dentist may prescribe. , Check for red, swollen, bleeding gums when you brush.
If you have these symptoms, see a dentist; these maybe signs of gingivitis. , These are signs of oral cancer that should be quickly examined by your dentist.
About the Author
Gloria Martinez
Creates helpful guides on home improvement to inspire and educate readers.
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