Keeping your teeth for life has become the dominant model in oral care today. Not many years ago, Americans assumed that later in life, total extraction was inevitable, followed by a transition to dentures. Fortunately, that is no longer a necessary assumption.
Keeping Your Teeth
The health of the human body depends on having healthy teeth. Everything from speech to nutrition starts with the mouth. Having gum disease has been linked to and may be a risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease or diabetes. Experts are studying how inflammation in the mouth caused by gum disease may influence other areas of the body (brain, heart, and pancreas), causing disease in those areas. This chronic inflammation inhibits the body’s ability to fight infection.
Changes That Help Preserve Healthy Teeth
Tooth loss, contrary to popular belief, is not a natural outcome of aging. This fundamental understanding has facilitated better oral health for the elderly. Fluoridation of municipal water sources encourages healthy teeth in babies and children, as does the trend of seeking dental care beginning in infancy. Increased access to oral care has been influential but the introduction of effective home-care products is even more important. Electric toothbrushes provide a more reliable means of maintaining clean teeth and healthy gums. Alternatives to dental floss such as floss pick and interdental brushes allow people who previously avoided flossing to develop better daily habits.
Oral Hygiene
Keeping gum disease at bay is the first key to keeping your teeth healthy throughout your life. Increasing the diligence of your oral care routine can help by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Visiting your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and dental exam is also recommended.
Consultation
If you have begun to experience tooth loss because of gum disease, it may not be too late to overcome this challenge. Schedule a consultation with our office today and let us show you the most effective strategies for keeping your teeth for life. Contact us today at (480) 448-0770.
