Geriatric Dental Care
Proper Geriatric Dental Care
As you age, you have to take even better care of your teeth. Many people think that they are bound to lose their teeth as they get older, but that’s not true! With the proper care, your teeth can last a lifetime. If you want to keep your teeth healthy as you age, you need to practice proper geriatric dental care.
Maintaining Good Oral Health as You Age
- Brush for two minutes a day, twice a day. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste to rid your teeth of plaque.
- Clean your dentures. If you wear full or partial dentures, you should clean them each day. It’s also important to take them out at night when you sleep.
- Drink tap water. Most taps contain fluoride that fights tooth decay. If you don’t want to drink tap water, drink bottled water that contains fluoride.
- Quit smoking. Smoking increases your chances of suffering from gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Not to mention, it increases your risk for mouth and lung cancers.
Disabled or Elderly Dental Care
If you are a caregiver for someone who is disabled or elderly, oral care may not be at the top of your priority list. Since oral health can have an effect on the rest of the body, it’s important to take care of your loved one’s teeth. This can sometimes be difficult, so use these tips to help yourself.
- Use an electric toothbrush to make moving around teeth easier.
- If your loved one has trouble spitting or swallowing, ask your dentist for a prescription for a home sucking machine. These are covered by most insurance plans.
Geriatric dental care is something everyone over the age of 60 should practice. The caring staff at Ronald Murphy Dentistry can help you or your elderly loved one care for his or her teeth as they age by providing gentle, personalized treatment. If you’re in need of a geriatric dentist near Batavia, IL, call our office at 630-879-7642.