Keep brushing and keep your teeth for longer

Oral hygiene is important throughout our lives, but it can prove more difficult as we get older. Here, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board examine how older people can keep their teeth healthy for longer...

LOSING your teeth should not be seen as an inevitable part of growing old. With the right home care and help from your dental team, gum disease and tooth decay can be prevented whatever your age.

Regular and thorough cleaning twice a day will also improve your hygiene and self-esteem.

What particular problems may older people have? Your gums may recede (shrink back) as you get older and your teeth may become a little more sensitive as a result. You may also find it more difficult to clean your teeth properly if you have problems with your hands or arms, or if your eyesight is poor.

Some people take regular medication which makes their mouth dry.

Saliva helps to protect your teeth against decay, so if you have less saliva than usual ask your dental team for advice.

It’s important to maintain good oral health throughout our lives by: – Visiting a dentist regularly; – Avoiding sugary snacks, keeping sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes; – Cleaning teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste;

To clean your teeth properly you need a small-headed, soft-to-medium-textured toothbrush and a fluoride

toothpaste. Toothbrushing also strengthens the tooth surface.

It’s vital to: – Clean your teeth twice a day – morning and night – with a fluoride toothpaste (1,400 parts per million of fluoride); – Use a small-headed toothbrush which is medium to soft texture; – Brush for two minutes, spit out the excess toothpaste and avoid rinsing; – Consider the use of a electric

toothbrush; – Visit a dentist regularly.

But there are many older people who will require dentures Dentures, bridges or implants replace lost or missing teeth so that you can enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence.

It is also very important to keep your dentures clean by: – Rinsing them after each meal; – Cleaning them over a sink filled with water; – Removing dentures from the mouth and thoroughly cleaning them using liquid soap/denture cream using a suitable brush; – Leaving dentures out of the mouth overnight to give the mouth tissues time to rest; – Soaking dentures in plain water overnight; – Regularly checking dentures for chips, cracks or damage.

Any loose or damaged dentures should be reported to a dentist Diet is also a key factor in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

You should aim to limit both the amount and frequency of sugar consumption. If you have to eat sugar, you should try to keep sugar consumption to mealtimes only.

It is better for teeth to have all sugar in one go and avoid all sugar between meals as this gives teeth time to recover from the acid attack.

Remember that milk and plain water are the only safe drinks.

Oral cancer There are several types of oral cancers. Regularly check inside the mouth and lips for any changes – lumps, bumps white patches, red patches or ulcers.

If they have not healed within three weeks visit the dentist to get them checked out.

For access to Dental Services contact NHS Direct by calling 0845 46 47 or visit the website www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk