As you age, your body changes in many ways, and your smile is no exception. Seniors face new oral health challenges that others don’t typically encounter, especially if issues such as tooth loss and decay appear. To protect your smile, learn more about some crucial dental care tips, including when to seek the help of your dentist.

How Does Your Mouth Change as You Age?

As you grow older, you may develop a variety of chronic health conditions, ranging from high blood pressure to allergies. Unfortunately, many medications list dry mouth as a potential side effect, which can impact the health of your smile. Since saliva is essential for neutralizing bacterial acids and rinsing away particulates from the surfaces of your teeth, less saliva can spell trouble for your smile.

Additionally, many seniors experience tooth loss due to decay, teeth grinding, and problems with previous dental work, such as dentures. For instance, if dentures or partials don’t fit well, they could tug on other teeth, causing additional tooth loss or problems with gum abrasions.

How Can You Protect an Aging Smile?

Fortunately, you can protect your teeth and gums by making smart choices when it comes to your healthcare. In addition to brushing your teeth carefully and remembering to floss, doing what you can to avoid illness and disease can help you reduce the need for medications, which can prevent problems with salivary flow.

Consume a nutritious diet, focus on exercising regularly, and avoid negative habits, such as smoking, chewing tobacco, and drinking excessively, which can all create problems with your oral health. Finally, attend dental checkups at least twice a year, or as frequently as your dentist recommends.

Anytime you’re concerned about the health of your smile, turn to the team at Anderson Dental Group. In addition to offering careful cleanings and exams, their dentists can help you to resolve both oral health and cosmetic dentistry problems, paving the way for a healthier, more beautiful smile. To learn more about how they can help, visit their website. You can also call (704) 663-3300 to reach their office in Mooresville, NC, or (704) 636-3611 to make an appointment in Salisbury, NC.