Important Dental Care Tips for Seniors

For those reaching their golden years additional worries about their health are nothing new.  Advancing age makes the body more susceptible to injuries, complications, and disease.  In addition health issues that build over time often come to a head in later years further complicating a senior’s medical situation.  Dental health is no different and there are important things every senior should know about additional risks they may have and what they can do to lower those risks.

Issues Specific to Seniors

Cavities can start to pop up again in old age after not having them for many years.  The primary cause of this is dry mouth which is a reduction of the flow of teeth-protecting saliva.  Dry mouth is not a natural part of aging however, but a very common side-effect of hundreds of different medications including those for high blood pressure and Parkinson’s disease.  Your dentist can help you combat this, provided they’re aware of the medications you’re taking.

Gum disease is often painless until it reaches the advanced stage – and advanced age can often be when it strikes.  Seniors may also suffer darkened teeth due to decades consuming stain-causing beverages or the thinning of the outer enamel layer.  Tooth loss can also happen more often due to gum disease and root decay that may be the result of receding gums.

Preventative Care

There are a lot of issues but the good news is that most of it can be prevented with a fairly standard dental hygiene regimen catered to your specific needs.  That means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist on a regular schedule, a minimum of twice a year or more depending on specific circumstances.  For dry mouth specifically drinking more water will help, as will chewing sugar-free gum, oral moisturizers, and avoiding beverages that can irritate dry mouths alike alcohol or coffee.

Getting old isn’t easy but it can be made easier with the right preventative care.  If you are, or know, a senior who requires dental care contact us at Pickering Square Dental today and we’ll be happy to assist.

DRY MOUTH AND LIPS: Tips for Prevention and its Complications during Wintertime

Winter brings with it its own set of skin care issues. For those with dry skin, the scourge of dry mouth and dry lips can prevent even the most wonderful winter day from being enjoyed. The painful cracking and peeling of dry lips can be prevented, however! And in this blog, we’ll look at several preventative measures as well as review the complications that can arise during the wintertime.

1. Keep Your Body Hydrated

During the dry winter months, your body requires hydration to stave off dry lips. Take steps to prevent dehydration such as keeping a water bottle with you at all times. And try to eat more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis to ensure you achieve optimal nutrition in the wintertime.

2. Exfoliate Your Skin to Remove Dry Buildup

The dry flakey skin that can occur in wintertime should be removed on a regular basis to help further ensure comfort. Use a damp cloth to gently exfoliate the skin and remove any dry patches. You might also consider a specialized lip scrub to remove the dry skin areas. However, it’s important to ensure the lip scrub is fragrance free to prevent any further skin reaction.

3. Use a Humidifier

Heated indoor air is one of the leading causes of dry skin around the lips and mouth. To combat this issue, set up a humidifier within an office space or home area where you spend the majority of your time. Setting a humidity level of 30-40% can often help prevent the occurrence of dry lips.

4. Don’t Lick Your Lips!

It’s very common for those with dry lips to try to resolve the issue by licking them. But unfortunately, this can have more of a negative than positive effect. That’s because the digestive enzymes present in the saliva can dry tissue out very quickly. And so, when the moisture evaporates, your lips can become even drier than before. The application of a specially designed moisturizer or lip balm is often a superior solution to the problem especially when routinely applied in wintertime after brushing your teeth morning and night and as required in between..

This winter, try to protect the skin on your lips by following the guidelines highlighted within this article. You’ll feel more comfortable and ready to enjoy the many activities that winter living in Canada has to offer!