If there are things on our aging bodies that I think deserve much protection right from the start, they would be our hair and teeth. I firmly believe these things can add/lessen years against our appearance, that’s why many seniors are trying very hard to save what’s left after years of neglect. Others just submit themselves to surgery and other high-technology advances to remedy their hair and teeth problems.
Someday, I probably would too, but not now since there are still ways you can save and protect your pearly whites without turning into a bionic mouth complete with implants and scary looking teeth screws.
•    Dental health is an everyday thing. I once met a fellow senior, he looked clean enough, smelled clean enough, what I didn’t expect though was while spending a week with him, I came to know that there were days when he didn’t brush at all. Fortunately for me, I was not his partner during that eye-opening week as we were on a group vacation. How his wife endured all those years living with him skipping toothbrush days is beyond me.
•    Fight dry mouth. This is very common among seniors and sad to say, it contributes immensely in developing mouth problems which is also very common among seniors. Some medications, illnesses and even treatments for seniors can cause dry mouth leading to tooth decay and loss. As soon as you start experiencing dry mouth, discuss it with your dentist and have him prescribe a good solution to your problem. One of the most common solutions available for you is artificial saliva substitutes.
•    Be extra vigilant. It is normal for seniors to lose gum sensory or feel numb in and around mouth area thus lessening the chances of spotting a tooth problem, if one occurs. By taking notes of changes in your mouth, you’ll be able to consult your doctor if you suspect something is wrong instead of just waiting for pain to come.
•    Regular professional cleaning is best. No amount of brushing and flossing can change the fact that you need your dentist every now and then. Professional cleaning can go and reach deeper than you can so there will be no area left neglected. Twice a year is ideal.
•    Take care of your false teeth like it’s your true ones. Those falsies need cleaning too. Like a natural teeth, it processes same types of substances and be stuck with same bits and pieces of food. Even if they won’t decay, you risk mouth infection if you don’t take the extra effort of cleaning it.