1.It is important to look after your teeth even in later years, as people are living longer and keeping their teeth for longer. Therefore, it is vital that you visit your dentist on a regular basis so that any problems can be picked up at an early stage.
2. Teeth are usually lost due to gum disease or tooth decay. Please ensure that you brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Brushing your teeth before bedtime is especially important.
3. If you wear dentures, these should be removed and cleaned after every meal. If you wear a partial denture and still have some of your own teeth, good denture hygiene is even more important. Dentures should be cleaned and left out before going to sleep at night for hygiene reasons. If dentures are not removed and cleaned regularly, in some cases you are likely to get a fungal infection (thrush) which is difficult to treat.
4. As you get older, you may suffer from a dry mouth. Sometimes this is due to medications that you may be taking. If you feel your mouth is dry during speaking and swallowing, as well as night while you are asleep, you can:
- Drink plenty of water - avoid sugary drinks like juice or tea or coffee with sugar.
- Chew a piece of sugar-free gum, suck a sugar-free mint or eat a piece of cheese - these stimulate saliva flow in your mouth.
- Rinse your mouth after meals with a fluoride mouthwash (non alcoholic).
- Use a saliva substitute -these are available to buy from pharmacies. They come in the form of gels, sprays or lozenges. You can use these during the day and before bedtime to lubricate your mouth.
5. Regularly visiting your dentist for check up is important even if you have few or no teeth. The dentist will check your mouth for any ulcers, red or white patches or swellings. Cancer in the mouth can occur at any age and this can be detected early if seen by the dentist before it gets to an advanced stage.
