Today’s population demographic is getting older. As improvements are made and new understandings of the human body are achieved as we age, we are pushing our lifespan further and further.

But how does this affect our oral health? Teeth are well known for not being replaced by the body when they are lost – can our teeth stand the test of time? The short answer is yes – with care, our teeth can take us all the way. But as you get older, there are changes in the way your body works that mean you need to stay right on top of your oral health care routine.

What to Watch Out For

• Xerostomia – It sounds scary, but xerostomia is simply the drying out of the mouth. Having said that, xerostomia itself can be uncomfortable and leads to worse problems if not treated.
• Periodontal disease – This refers to infections of the structures around the teeth. Most common is gingivitis or infected gums. There is strong evidence that periodontal disease is linked to other age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
• Edentulism – Simply put, losing teeth. Losing teeth is inconvenient and effects more than your mouth. There is a loss of social confidence. Edentulism can also lead to malnutrition. We need a certain amount of masticating ‘pairs’ of teeth to chew properly. If we can’t chew, we choose softer foods and start missing out on certain nutrients.
• Mouth cancer – There are a few different types of mouth cancer, and they are more common as we get older. Often, they are painless until well developed. Regular checks are the only way to catch it in time.

Further Reaching Effects

As we age, we get more susceptible to other health issues. Side effects from drugs prescribed for various medical conditions include xerostomia, for example. Our mobility may become impaired, leading to an inability to handle a toothbrush properly. A reduction in cognitive facilities (such as becoming forgetful) leads to interruptions in our oral healthcare routine.

Illness can make us shun foods such as fruit and vegetables because of the effects they have on us, or because they are hard to chew. This, in turn, leads to malnutrition. Malnutrition is a deficiency in essential nutrients, such as fluoride, which will lead to further damage to teeth. We inadvertently fall into a vicious cycle.

We lose nerve sensitivity with age. A lifetime of chewing, talking, maybe smoking, and grinding our teeth means our teeth have probably got less enamel protecting them. They are more susceptible to breakage and caries. Add that to a loss of sensitivity and the problem gets ignored, as it’s not felt, to then exacerbate into greater problems.

Get the Best Out Of Your Teeth

No one can stem the flow of years. As we get older, we face new challenges in all aspects of our lives. But our oral health does not need to be a challenge. The key is prevention. Healthy teeth and a healthy diet will go a long way towards warding off many of the issues discussed here. Some key points to remember are:

• Use dental floss and mouthwash. Get all the bits out of the hard to reach places and rinse well. Mouthwash will also help with xerostomia and keep your enamel stronger.
• Brush well. Twice a day. If you find it hard to use a toothbrush, consider using an electric one, or a velcro ‘harness’ to help you grip. A dentist will be happy to help you find a solution that works for you.
• Eat well. Missing out on essential nutrients is going to affect not just your teeth, but your whole body. Dental problems leading to poor food choices, or poor food choices, either directly or indirectly, leading to dental problems. It can be avoided if you keep control of your diet.
• Drink tap water. It has fluoride in. Every time you slake that thirst, you are giving your teeth a mini spa.

And Finally… Be Social!

Visit your dentist, get their advice, let them check you out. They can see potential problems before you can feel them.

Get family and friends over. If you are getting on the forgetful side, or maybe you are bedridden, you need your friends around you. They will help you to remember to floss and bring you the bowl to spit in.

Go out! If you are able, get fresh air, see the sights. Staying indoors can lead to loneliness, loss of self-esteem and depression. Meet new people, try new food (chewing properly, of course). Make the most of your smile and it will reward you.

If you have questions or concerns about Sedation Dentistry in Los Angeles, please contact your dentist at Smile In LA at (323) 461-9353.

Resource links:

American Dental Association – https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/aging-and-dental-health

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/adults-over-60/concerns

The National Centre for Biotechnology Information – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4334280/

Harvard Medical School – https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-aging-mouth-and-how-to-keep-it-younger

Preventing Tooth Decay: The Best Methods Available

Tooth decay is one of the most ancient and most commons of all tooth-related diseases. In fact, it is one of the most common ailments in the world, after the common cold. Understandably, such a high number of effect leaves a majority of us prone to this dental problem. However, thanks to the modern medical science there are now numerous methods with which a person can completely avoid getting caught in the spectra of tooth decay and risk disfiguring their smile. In this article, the famous dentist in Los Angeles Dr. Shervin Louie will tell us about some effective preventive strategies against tooth decay. Let’s read and learn these methods so that we may avoid suffering from tooth decay and risk losing our teeth altogether.

Preventing Tooth Decay With Some Of These Methods -:

An effective prevention of tooth decay does not only involve regular brushing, flossing, or avoid eating sweet things. In fact, the set of regulations you will have to impose on yourself to successfully prevent this dental ailment is much more sophisticated and covers a wide range of your habits. According to Dr. Shervin Louie, a renowned dentist of Los Angeles, one of the best ways to begin is to have an assessment of tooth decay risk by a professional dentist. Such an assessment will tell you on which scale rests your risk of tooth decay. After the examination, and according to the stage of your tooth decay risk, the dentist will recommend products, prevention tips, or treatment in order to lessen your chances of catching tooth decay. But for the general part, let us see what are some of the most effective prevention methods for tooth decay.

Eliminating Habits That Promotes Acid-Producing Germs:

Acid-generating bacteria’s are the key inflictors of tooth decay. The best way to examine whether they exist or not in your mouth is to go to your dentist and have an assessment. If in case they are found to exist, a dentist can recommend you protective products for your teeth which may well adjust or remove them for good. The key player here is the antibacterial mouth rinse. Mouth rinses can successfully prevent the development and resistance of acid-producing bacteria’s which may cause your teeth to decompose and worn out.

Using Fluoride Toothpaste:

Low quantity of fluoride works best to eradicate tooth decay-causing elements on your teeth. When fluoride is applied to the surface of your tooth, it creates a protective layer on the tooth surface hence safeguarding it from decaying agents. Fluoride can be obtained by using a fluoride toothpaste, which is abundantly available in the market today.

It’s Mostly About The Diet:

Perhaps the most effective and totally cost-free way of preventing tooth decay is to curb your dietary and other habits related to your mouth. For the diet aspect, avoiding sugar or other carbohydrates which promote acid-producing germs in your mouth can eliminate the chances of tooth decay significantly. Sugars found in raw fruits and vegetables are much better than those in beverages, sweets, or chemical juices.  As for curbing your other habits, such as taking unnecessary snacks between mealtimes, can also contribute to acidic mouth environment. “If you have a tendency to eat snacks between mealtimes, it is better to go for non-carbohydrates and non-sugar ones because they do not produce acidic elements in your mouth,” says the renowned dentist in Los Angeles Dr. Shervin Louie. These can be vegetables like carrots or fresh fruits of other sorts. In an overall aspect, adjusting your dietary habits significantly promotes oral health and decreases your chances of having tooth decay.

Fluoride Treatment is the most effective agent available to help prevent tooth decay.  It is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in almost all foods and water supplies.  The benefits of fluoride have been well known for over 50 years and are supported by many health and professional organizations.

Fluoride Treatment works in two ways:

Topical fluoride strengthens the teeth once they have erupted by seeping into the outer surface of the tooth enamel, making the teeth more resistant to decay.  We gain topical fluoride by using fluoride-containing dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and gels.  Dentists and dental hygienists generally recommend that children have a professional application of fluoride twice a year during dental check-ups.

Systemic fluoride strengthens the teeth that have erupted as well as those that are developing under the gums.  We gain systemic fluoride from most foods and our community water supplies.  It is also available as a supplement in drop or gel form and can be prescribed by your dentist or physician.  Generally, fluoride drops are recommended for infants, and tablets are best suited for children up through the teen years.  It is very important to monitor the amounts of fluoride a child ingests.  If too much fluoride is consumed while the teeth are developing, a condition called fluorosis (white spots on the teeth) may result.

Although most people receive fluoride from food and water, sometimes it is not enough to help prevent decay.  Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend the use of home and/or professional fluoride treatments for the following reasons:

• Deep pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
• Exposed and sensitive root surfaces.
• Fair to poor oral hygiene habits.
• Frequent sugar and carbohydrate intake.
• Inadequate exposure to fluorides.
• Inadequate saliva flow due to medical conditions, medical treatments or medications.
• A recent history of dental decay.

Remember, fluoride treatment alone will not prevent tooth decay!  It is important to brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, eat balanced meals, reduce sugary snacks, and visit your dentist on a regular basis.

If you have any questions or concerns about receiving fluoride treatments, please contact Dr. Shervin M. Louie, DDS at Smile in LA at (323) 461-9353.