"Tooth loss due to old age" is not a normal phenomenon! Doctor: Follow these steps and your teeth will last a lifetime!

As the saying goes, "you lose your teeth as you get older." Many people also think that they will definitely lose their teeth as they get older, but is aging really an inevitable factor that leads to tooth loss? The answer is actually no!

Being "old and outdated" is not normal!

In fact, tooth loss as people age is not a normal physiological phenomenon!

Age is not the direct cause of tooth loss. Most of the "old tooth loss" is caused by caries and periodontal disease, among which the incidence of periodontal disease is as high as more than 80%.

Many people do not seek timely treatment for oral diseases such as caries and periodontal disease in the early stages, which leads to tooth loss and the illusion of "losing teeth due to aging".

So how can we ensure that our teeth are preserved for a long time? The answer is to maintain oral health and treat dental problems in a timely manner, so that you can have great teeth even when you are old.

Follow these steps and your teeth will last a lifetime!

1. Pay attention to your overall and oral health in a timely manner

Oral health is closely related to overall health. Caries and periodontal disease are bacterial infections that can harm overall health and affect quality of life. Periodontal disease is also closely related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, respiratory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.

The impact of systemic diseases on oral health cannot be ignored. Some systemic diseases can be manifested in the mouth. Some systemic diseases, such as diabetes, AIDS, or long-term use of certain medications, may lead to periodontal disease.

Therefore, we must not only maintain our daily oral health, but also pay attention to timely treatment of systemic diseases. At the same time, we must develop good living habits and get rid of bad habits such as smoking and drinking.

2. Brush your teeth every morning and evening and rinse your mouth after meals

The modified Bass brushing method is recommended. Choose a soft-bristled small-headed toothbrush. When brushing, open your mouth slightly to the distance of a little finger. Use the correct brushing method. Do not brush vigorously horizontally to avoid damaging teeth and gums. In addition, make sure to brush for a full 3 minutes.

Photo by Geng Yuhe

Rinsing your mouth after a meal can remove some food residues in the mouth. Rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash containing certain medicines can indeed help reduce the number of oral pathogenic microorganisms and keep the mouth fresh. However, rinsing your mouth cannot replace brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth is the key to effectively removing dental plaque. Rinsing your mouth only plays an auxiliary role. In addition, mouthwashes containing medicines cannot be used for a long time.

People with receding gums and obvious gaps between teeth can use an interdental brush and choose different models according to the size of the gaps between teeth. When using, do not force the brush into the teeth to avoid damaging the gums.

People with less obvious gaps between teeth can use dental floss. Elderly people may need assistance in maintaining their oral health by helping them use dental floss or providing interdental brushes or water flossers.

3. Even if you wear dentures, you should brush them frequently.

Many elderly people will wear dentures in their mouths for chewing needs or aesthetics after losing their teeth, such as dental implants, fixed teeth, and removable dentures. No matter which type, reasonable oral maintenance is required.

For non-removable teeth such as dental implants and fixed teeth, food debris and bacteria are easily accumulated on the gum edges, and they need to be cleaned with dental floss, interdental brushes and water flossers.

Removable dentures need to be removed after each meal and cleaned with a special denture toothbrush. They should be removed and soaked in cold water before going to bed. It is recommended to add denture cleaning tablets in the water and rinse them clean before putting them back on the next day.

4. Timely treatment and control of sweets

The elderly are prone to tooth decay, which may occur in various parts of the teeth, some in relatively hidden locations. Therefore, it is particularly important to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste every day, or to go to the hospital for regular fluoride treatment. In addition, you also need to eat a healthy diet, control the amount and frequency of sweets, and seek medical attention in a timely manner if you find tooth decay.

5. Have regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings

The immunity of the elderly is reduced, the incidence rate of periodontal diseases is high, and the recovery ability is weak. Going to the hospital for regular oral health examinations and teeth cleaning is conducive to timely detection of periodontal diseases, preventing the disease from progressing, and achieving early inspection, early detection, and early treatment.

This article comes from: 2023-12-18 Run Run Shaw Hospital "It's not normal for people to lose teeth when they get old! Protect your teeth and they will last a lifetime", some content has been deleted, the copyright belongs to the original author.