Most people over the age of 45 know that good oral care has positive effects on their general health. Problems such as dry mouth caused by medication, tender gums and chronic halitosis, are common dental conditions that should be treated with proper dental care and as we get older, these issues often become worse. Basically, our bodies get tired and start to function less efficiently which results in less saliva production.
Below are a few dental tips that are sure to help keep that smile on your face.
The reason moms tell their children to drink milk is because teeth are made up of calcium, and milk helps to fortify the teeth enamel. Milk has another oral advantage and that is that it helps to keep the gums healthy as well. Studies have proved that a person that does not have enough calcium in their diets is more likely to develop gum disease. To make sure that this does not happen, eat foods like milk, cheese, yogurt and soybeans, all of which are high in calcium.
A person’s body needs vitamin D to be able to use calcium. Vitamin D is absorbed through exposure to the sun and is vital assisting cells in absorbing calcium. Foods high in vitamin D are wild salmon, mackerel, low fat milk and egg yolks. Despite the fact that it is so very easy for humans to get this vitamin, an estimated 40-75% of people are Vitamin D deficient. If you eat cereal for instance, try buying milk that is fortified with vitamin D, and try to cook salmon on a regular basis. Sit outside in the sun for a little while, feel the warmth and you will be amazed, it not only gives you the Vitamin D you need but will make you feel a whole lot better about life in general.
Try to avoid that snack. A big mistake a person makes is snacking on something sugary in between meal times. Sugar has a tendency to cling to a person’s teeth for long periods of time, giving the sugar more than enough time to form acids in the mouth which will erode the tooth enamel. The teeth you have today must last a lifetime, so make sure to take good care of them.
Drinking coffee will stain your teeth, and soaks the teeth in acids that eventually wear down their protective coating. Try to minimise your coffee intake.
Saliva production is very important. Saliva is natures very own oral rinse that washes harmful bacteria away. To help the production of saliva along, try chewing on sugar free gum. A dry mouth can be easily remedied by drinking plenty of water. A dry mouth is the breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria. This bacteria causes bad breath which in turn could leave you more susceptible to tooth decay.
Chewing on hard crunchy fruits and vegetables is nature’s equivalent of using a toothbrush. These crunchy foods dislodge bits of food between your teeth, and clean the teeth naturally.
Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes a session is vital. Most individuals only brush for a maximum of 20 seconds. It is never too late to change bad habits!
It is a good idea to see your dentist every six months. Many people only go to a dentist when they have toothache, or suffer from a dry mouth. Plaque gets into places that a person cannot see or get to with their toothbrush. Going to see you dentist ensures a proper cleaning in all areas in the mouth.