Keeping Your Smile Past 50

You know the regular advice about keeping a pearly smile: Brush regularly but not aggressively, floss once a day, see a dentist regularly, keep your hands off those cigarettes, limit sugary foods and starches, and drink water instead of soda pop.

But once you’re over 50, your body and your teeth need a little extra TLC. You may do the daily twice-a-day-brushing, but you’ll need to pay more attention to your oral health. New concerns about decay, tooth loss, mouth infections, gum disease and oral cancer could be in full force.

Check out how to keep all your teeth healthy during your golden years with these top tips.

Step 1: Get the right toothbrush.

Is it really that simple?

Yes, really!

What’s one problem that faces us as we age? Yep, you shrink. Did you know your gum line tends to shrink as well? If you use a manual toothbrush, get one with fine, soft bristles.

If you have trouble reaching all areas of your teeth (those very back teeth — and that hard-to-reach spot on the upper right hand corner! Yikes!) get an electric toothbrush and different flossing tools to help you reach those tough spots. Look for toothbrushes that won’t slip out of your grip and offer more maneuverability.

Step 2: Don’t miss dentist appointments.

Right now, it’s tough to decide whether you should go to the dentist. Fearing COVID-19 is one reason people are pushing back their dentist appointments. However, it’s important to go, or at least, go within somewhat of the same timeframe as your recommended appointment. So speak with your dentist about your situation to determine if you should head in for your visit.

Did you know that it’s a little harder to find cavities as you age because the nerves in your teeth lose sensitivity as you grow older? That’s why it’s doubly important to keep up with those twice-a-year dentist appointments.

Step 3: Disclose medications.

Tell your dentist what types of medications you’re taking. Certain medications can cause a condition called “dry mouth” — the perfect breeding ground for tooth decay. Dry mouth occurs as a result of taking hundreds of medications to treat everything from high blood pressure to allergies.

Your dentist will be able to help you work around dry mouth, particularly if it’s beginning to affect your teeth. Ask your dentist (and doctor) for suggestions, but never hide any of the medications you’re taking!

Are you taking calcium channel blockers or anti-seizure medication? Those medications can inflame your gums and put you squarely in the category at being at higher risk for periodontal disease.

Speaking of periodontal disease, check out the next step.

Step 4: Recognize the signs of gum disease.

Okay, admittedly, that’s easier said than done. There’s nothing painful about plaque — until gum disease gets out of hand. The bacteria in plaque causes periodontal disease. Watch for:
● Irritated gums
● Bleeding gums
● More tooth exposure

Worst-case scenario: untreated gum disease can destroy your gums and even the very bone and ligaments holding your teeth in place. Eeek.

Step 5: Stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco.

(Really, this should be step one.) The American Cancer Society reports about 35,000 cases of mouth, throat and tongue cancer each year. Unfortunately, most oral cancers turn up in adults over the age of 40. Sixty-two is the average age of diagnosis.

What about vaping? Vaping is so new that it’s actually too early to understand its full effects. Healthline reports that if you use vaping as a way to avoid or quit smoking cigarettes, vaping actually decreases your overall cancer risk. However, if you decide to join the teeny boppers (most people who vape are under age 35), have never smoked cigarettes and aren’t planning to start, vaping increases your overall cancer risk.

Show any red or white patches or lumps inside your mouth, lip or tongue that lasts for more than two weeks. Don’t wait till your regularly scheduled exam — make a special trip to the dentist.

Step 6: Check your coverage.

Did you know that Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental care? If you have concerns about keeping your dental care affordable, consider signing up for a dental savings plan– a cost effective alternative to traditional dental insurance – and enjoy discounts of 10-60% percent on most dental services. Plans activate within 72-hours and you won’t be turned away if your tooth health isn’t in tip-top shape.

Here’s how it works:
● Look at DentalPlans.com’s options from Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, Humana and a host of other leading dental providers.
● Compare plans and purchase the best option for you using the savings calculator.
● Choose your dentist from the network of over 140,000 dentists.
● Call the dentist of your choice for an appointment.

Don’t worry about filing a claim to get reimbursed. The discounts are applied at the time of service and you’ll pay the discounted rate before you leave the dental office.

Step 7: Educate yourself.

You know other health issues that accompany aging, like:
● Cardiovascular changes: Your blood vessels and arteries stiffen, which causes your heart to work harder to pump blood through them.
● Bone, joint and muscle changes: Your bones tend to shrink in size and density as you get older, which makes them more susceptible to fracture. In addition, your muscles lose strength, endurance and flexibility, all factors that affect your coordination and balance.
● Digestive system changes: You may experience digestive problems as you age — The culprit? Age-related structural changes in the large intestine. Other contributing factors include lack of exercise, not drinking enough fluids and a low-fiber diet.
● Memory and thinking changes: You’ll experience brain changes that may affect your memory or thinking skills.

In addition to these changes, you may also experience a decrease in your ability to see and hear well.

The key is to educate yourself as much as possible so you know what to expect as you age — and that includes what’s going on with your teeth and gums. Doing so helps you stay ahead of risks that come along with disease and damage.

Step 8: If necessary, follow your dentist’s advice for implants, bridges or dentures.

Don’t shy away from implants, bridges or dentures if your dentist says you need them. Educating yourself on all the options at your disposal is important to understanding the full spectrum of tooth health. Here’s a quick definition of each type:
● Implants: Dental implants are surgical fixtures (metal posts or frames) positioned into the jawbone beneath your gums. These metal posts or frames fuse with the jawbone over a few months.
● Bridges: Dental bridges bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. You get two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap created by those missing teeth. The two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth.
● Dentures: Your dentist may recommend full or partial dentures, which means dentures will replace all teeth on either the top or bottom gum line or just a few missing teeth.

Remember, following your dentist’s recommendation means you’re adhering to tooth health guidelines — even if it involves implants, bridges or dentures.

You Can Keep Your Smile Past 50!

Yes, your teeth can last your entire life if you care for them.

The key takeaways for your tooth and mouth health:
● Power up that electric toothbrush (or pick up that manual toothbrush!) Brush at least twice daily (gently).
● Floss once a day, gently tackling any hard-to-reach areas that toothbrushes miss.
● Eat a nutritious diet. Get plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and minimize harmful sweets.
● Drink plenty of water. It’s amazing how the simple act of drinking water can help your teeth!

Above all, stay active and know as much as possible at maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Ask your dentist questions and ask for clarification when you don’t understand something.

Even if you can’t quite maintain your natural teeth, you can still care for implants, bridges or dentures. Listen to your dentist to get the most out of your healthy smile for the rest of your life.

About the Author:
Melissa Brock is the Money editor at Benzinga and the founder of College Money Tips. She loves helping people save money and live their best lives possible.