We all have our own reasons to smile. A smile is a precious thing that shows our joy to the world.
But have you noticed that, the older we get, the less we tend to show our teeth when we smile? Do you ever feel embarrassed by your smile? How can we change our smiles to our liking? According to Dentistry.com, 42% of people say they tend to shy away from the camera because they feel their smile isn’t good enough.
As we get older, we feel our teeth aren’t as bright or white as they used to be. You may also be worried about the possibility of needing dentures in the near future – read on to learn steps you can take to keep your natural teeth.
The Importance of Caring for Your Teeth as You Age
We should care for our teeth to maintain our healthy smiles throughout our lives. Our smiles are crucial in letting the world know how we are feeling and are important as we age. The wiser we get, the more reasons we have to smile.
Let’s face it, our smiles are how we express ourselves and are an unspoken greeting to all we see throughout our days. Not only is oral care crucial to maintaining the health of our teeth, it is also necessary to keep our teeth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 28% of seniors over the age of 65 have no remaining teeth. Crazy right? Seeing as it’s terribly hard to smile without our teeth, we should avoid oral neglect at all costs.
Health Outcomes If We Don’t Care for Our Pearly Whites
Studies show that seniors who care for their teeth can avoid degradative effects such as cavities, enamel erosion, and other oral diseases.
What’s worse, oral neglect can also lead to variations of cancer. Yes, you did read that correctly. Oral neglect, particularly from the use of tobacco products, can lead to certain types of cancer. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that each year, 49,700 Americans are diagnosed with easily preventable cancers that affect the mouth.
Consistency Is Key
According to dental experts at the Valley Ridge Dental Centre, the key to a healthy smile is in good, consistent habits. As we age, the bad oral-care habits of our youth tend to add up, so the sooner you start brushing consistently and making regular dental appointments, the better off you’ll be later in life.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 85% of children 2-17 had seen a dentist in 2016. Yet, for adults ages 18-64, only 65% made a dental appointment in 2016. Here, we can see, as we grow, we tend to neglect our smiles and forget to schedule appoints due to costs and lack of time in our busy lives.
Though we may let life get in the way, our smiles are important. To maintain that healthy, white-toothed grin, it’s crucial to continue to make consistent biannual dental appointments into our 60s and beyond.
Quit Smoking
Tobacco products are linked to gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. It’s never too late to quit and start reversing the damage, even in your 60s.
Watch What You Eat & Drink
Coffee, teas, juices, and other acidic beverages can wear away at your enamel over time. You should also try to avoid sugary foods when you can, and floss after meals to prevent food from getting stuck between your teeth.
Never Stop Smiling
Caring for our teeth involves a bit of planning and dedication. When it comes to our oral care, it is the little things that truly make all the difference. We can maintain oral health by scheduling regular cleaning and semi-annual checkups, addressing any and all oral ailments, and, as always, remembering to floss!
Really, checkups and remembering to floss have huge impacts on oral health. All that nagging from our mothers really was helpful! Who knew?
