Worried About Your Teeth? 4 Steps To Keep Your Teeth Healthy As You Age
If you're over the age of 40, it's time to start paying more attention to your teeth. The natural aging process can wreak havoc on your teeth. In fact, as you age, your teeth become more susceptible to cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease. Unfortunately, if you don't take care of your teeth, you could end up with premature tooth loss. Luckily, that doesn't have to happen. Here are four steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy as you age.
Drink Plenty of Water
If you've never been much of a water-drinker, it's time to change that. Now that you're aging, your body needs more water, and so do your teeth. Water not only helps keep your body properly hydrated, it also helps flush away impurities that could lead to dental problems below the gum line. As an added benefit, water also helps your mouth produce more saliva, which helps remove bacteria from between your teeth. To protect your teeth, keep a bottle of water on you at all times during the day.
Change Your Diet
Even if you don't eat a lot of junk food, your diet still might not be on par for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. To reduce the occurrence of dental problems, you should add foods that are rich in calcium. The added calcium will help keep your teeth strong. It's also a good idea to add extra helpings of crunchy, fresh vegetables, especially after meals when you don't have time to brush your teeth. The crunchy vegetables will act like natural a natural toothbrush and remove food particles that might have been left behind.
Avoid Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
If your teeth are starting to show the yellowing discoloration associated with age, don't reach for the over-the-counter whitening products. The abrasive cleansers added to home whitening products may damage your delicate enamel, and lead to tooth damage. To keep your teeth white and beautiful, visit your dentist for professional whitening treatments.
Know the Signs of Gum Disease
As you age, your risk of gum disease increases. Unfortunately, gum disease is the leading cause of premature tooth loss in adults. To avoid the damaging effects of gum disease, it's important for you to recognize the warning signs.
- Red, swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Yellowish discharge around the gums
Don't take chances with your teeth. The information provided here will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. For other tips on how to protect your teeth as you age, be sure to consult with your dentist. For more information, contact a dental office such as Adams Dental Center.
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