The loss of teeth is not inevitable with age: 6 ways to protect your dental health
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Some may assume that lose one’s teeth is part of the old old man.
About 11% of adults aged 65 to 74 have lost all their teeth, according to 2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – and this number is one in five at the age of 75 and over.
But according to experts, it is not inevitable. Dental professionals shared the following advice to prevent the loss of teeth and stimulate overall health.
1. Protect the health of erases
About two adults out of three over 65 periodontitisAccording to a recently published AARP report.
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Clinical experts cited in the report, notably Dr. Uchenna Akosa, assistant professor and director at Rutgers Health University Associates in New Jersey, warn that bleeding gums can point out a much deeper problem.
“Even if you have not lost your teeth, gum disease alters your ability to chew hard food,” Akosa told Aarp. “This will affect your nutrition and can put you at risk of malnutrition in the future.”
If your gums bleed during brushing, or if you notice a sensitivity or a recession, these are signs to plan a dental visit. (istock)
Untreated, the gum disease can also destroy the bones that keep the teeth in place and can interfere with nutrition and chewing.
The gum disease is also a source of chronic inflammation in the body, which can contribute to the risk of dementia, have shown studies. A meta-analysis of approximately 34,000 people revealed that the elderly who had lost all their teeth had a risk of 1.4 times higher of dementia, as cited by AARP.
The publication also highlights previous research connecting gums to other health risks, such as heart attack, cerebral vascular accidents and cancer.
About 11% of adults aged 65 to 74 have lost all their teeth.
Experts recommend focusing on early prevention. If your gums bleed during brushing, or if you notice a sensitivity or a recession, these are signs to plan a dental visit.
Regular cleaning and professional controls can attend gum problems before driving a loss of teeth or other health effects.
People who had lost all their teeth had a risk 1.4 times higher to develop dementia, according to AARP. (istock)
The AARP reports that the switch to an electric toothbrush, brushing twice a day for two minutes and the use of a water line are all effective means of protecting the health of the gums.
Dr. David Frey, an aesthetic dentist of your perfect smile in Beverly Hills, California, said that he often recommends water threads – especially the soundpik soundtrack – to older patients.
“It is particularly useful for patients with arthritis, limited mobility or difficulty using traditional wire,” Frey told Fox News Digital.
2. Take measures to prevent dry mouth
Saliva plays an essential role in the neutralization of acids and the protection of the enamel of the teeth, but the dry mouth affects almost six elderly people out of 10, according to the AARP.
Many current drugs – including antihistamines, antidepressants and blood pressure drugs – can reduce saliva production, which makes the mouth more prone to dental caries, infections and gum diseases, webmd states.
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To avoid the dry mouth, the AARP recommends regularly sip water, rinse your mouth after eating, ask your dentist of fluorine toothpaste and use dry mouth rinsing like biotène or act.
3. Personalize your dental visits
Unlike the standard six -month control rule, AARP notes that dental care schedules must be personalized.
A report doctor noted that there is “nothing magical in a six -month balance sheet” – some people should not go there once a year, while others, especially those who have chronic conditions, may need more frequent visits.
The recommended frequency of dental visits is not a single size, according to the AARP. Some people may need to go there once a year, while others, especially those with chronic conditions, may need more frequent visits. (istock)
Oral health problems in the elderly often go unnoticed, in particular those related to the alignment of bites, according to Frey.
“Problems related to bite are often a neglected source of headache and neck pain,” he told Fox News Digital. “The public simply was not informed that tension, disalping and dysfunction of the jaw can manifest itself in a way that does not seem linked to the first glance.”
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The evaluation of the position of the bite and the health of the jaw can sometimes reveal the deep causes of chronic discomfort, noted Frey.
“When I combine 3D imaging with a careful examination of the teeth – worn surfaces, tiny fractures and scales – this often reveals that the muscles around the head and neck are not in harmony with the bite.”
4. Explore financial assistance options
Only three out of 10 out of 65 adults have dental insurance, according to the American Dental Association, and Medicare generally does not cover cleaning, filling or other routine procedures.
Many current drugs can reduce saliva production, which makes the mouth more prone to decomposition, according to experts. (istock)
This financial gap often leads people to completely ignore dental care, which can cause more serious (and expensive) problems in the future.
AARP suggests looking for dental savings plans, local dental schools or community clinics on a slippery scale if coverage is a problem.
5. Adopt healthy habits
Smoking is a major contributor to the loss of teeth.
CDC data show that smokers are up to three times more likely to lose all their teeth than non-smokers.
CDC data show that smokers are up to three times more likely to lose all their teeth than non-smokers. (istock)
And although the drops of sweet cough or hard candies may seem harmless, they can be damaging to the teeth over time, warn the experts.
The transition to gum or sugar-free candy containing Xylitol can help prevent cavities and support better oral health, Akosa told Aarp.
6. Restore appearance
According to Frey, one of the biggest false ideas on aging and dental health is that worn and discolored teeth are something to accept, according to Frey.
“It is not only a question of revitalizing the teeth – it is a question of revitalizing the person.”
“A delicate and thin porcelain veneer can restore the vitality, color and shape of your teeth once, improving your smile and your general appearance,” he told Fox News Digital.
“And it’s not just cosmetics – it’s about restoring health, confidence and good function.”
The AARP reports that the switch to an electric toothbrush, brushing twice a day for two minutes and the use of a water line are all effective means of protecting the health of the gums. (istock)
According to Dr. Frey, “it’s not just about revitalizing teeth – it’s about revitalizing the person.”
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For those who seek to brighten up their smile, Erin Fraundorf, founder of Boca Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in St. Louis, recommends seeing a dentist before trying any laundering treatment, according to the AARP report.
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“Office treatments remain the safest and most efficient option, while take -out kits of professional quality and over -the -counter products can be excellent for maintenance,” said Fraundorf.
