Senior Dental Care in Brisbane – How to Keep Those Pearly Whites Healthy
As a senior, dental care should be one of your highest priorities. It isn’t a given that you’ll lose all of your teeth as you age – far from it! With proper dental care, your smile will last you the rest of your days.
As we all know, one of the unfortunate side effects of aging is the increased likelihood of health issues. Specific issues such as diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer can all have severe consequences on the health of your teeth, and so regular dental visits are a must.
If you’re struggling to access dental care for financial reasons, or due to limited mobility, it’s time to connect with a caring dentist who understands the concerns of seniors in Brisbane. There are Queensland state funded programs in place to help seniors who need help getting dental visits, for example.
Here at Robert Duhig Dental, you’ll find the best senior dental care in Brisbane. Read on to find out what you can do to ensure your teeth stay healthy as you get older.
Common health issues in seniors
There are a range of health issues common in seniors that you need to be aware of. These include:
- tooth sensitivity
- oral thrush
- gum or periodontal disease
- dry mouth
- tooth decay
- tooth loss.
If any of these issues are left untreated, they can snowball and have extreme consequences on the health of your mouth or your immune system overall. Regular dental visits can help nip these concerns in the bed, before they get out of control.
Maintaining your pearly whites at home
Is life busier than even since you retired? Or perhaps your diet has changed recently? Don’t lose touch with your dental routine as your lifestyle changes. Keep up these steps!
- Brush and floss as recommended by your dentist.
- Be aware of the warning signs of tooth decay – specifically tooth sensitivity and grinding, pain, mouth sores and bumps, swelling, loose teeth, your jaw popping or clicking, and dry mouth syndrome. Pop in for a visit if you experience any of these.
- Visit your dentist regularly. This is incredibly important as you age, so your dentist can monitor the health of your mouth and take any preventative steps that might be necessary.
- Ensure your dentures and bridges are properly maintained and cleansed. This is incredibly important, so if you have any questions, please ask your dentist for advice.
- See your dentist before and after any surgery you might have.
- Keep your dentist informed of the medications you take, or any changes you make to your medications.
- Accept any physical limitations you might have as a result of issues like arthritis. Nowadays, dentists are able to provide brushes with elongated heads and other tools that can help people with limited dexterity to keep their smile beautiful. We’re happy to help – just ask!
Senior dental care for Brisbane residents is as important – if not more crucial – than dental care at other ages. Look after your smile by visiting your friendly local dentist regularly!