Oral health is closely connected to overall body health. When you are responsible for an aging parent’s well-being, it’s important to stay on top of their dental care to maintain good teeth and gums and reduce their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and periodontitis. Use this guide to figure out the best dental routine and how often to bring them to a dentist.

What Type of Dental Routine Should Seniors Follow?

For the most part, oral health doesn’t vary too much for aging seniors. They need to brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least twice a day. Make these activities easier by upgrading to an electric brush. Afterward, have them use an antiseptic mouthwash to clear out any remaining bacteria in their mouth that can lead to tooth decay.

If your senior wears dentures, make sure they remove and rinse them after every meal or snack. While the dentures are out, they should brush their teeth, tongue, cheeks, and roof of the mouth to remove any adhesive. At the end of the day, clean them with a soft-bristle brush and nonabrasive denture cleaner before letting them soak overnight in water or a mild solution.

When Should the Senior See a Dentist?

Getting older doesn’t mean your parent should stop seeing a dentist. In fact, their age will increase the likelihood of receding gums, which can leave their tooth roots exposed and more susceptible to tooth decay. Also, many medications taken during this time of life are known to cause dry mouth. Without adequate saliva, they are at higher risk of tooth decay and infections. 

To protect their oral health, schedule a dental checkup at least twice a year. This is true even if they wear dentures. The dentist will need to determine if there have been any changes to their mouth and gum shape, which could lead to a poor fit and mouth irritation or sores.

Ensure your parent receives quality oral healthcare by bringing them to the dentists at Main Street Dental in La Crosse, WI. This dental office provides a wide variety of restorative and preventative dentistry procedures, including tooth extractions, dental crowns, and partial or full dentures. Visit their website to learn more about their services, and schedule an appointment today by calling (608) 784-4063.