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| How
does prescribed medication affect my teeth and gums? |
| How
does a lifetime of brushing affect my teeth and
gums? |
| How
will a change in my diet affect my oral health? |
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| With advances in dentistry
and oral care products, and a more widespread understanding
of what it takes to look after teeth and gums, more
people are keeping their teeth as they get older.
However, older adults often face additional dental
problems, which is why it is more important than
ever to maintain a high standard of oral hygiene. |
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| How does prescribed
medication affect my teeth and gums? |
As you get older, the
amount of saliva that you produce tends to decrease.
In addition some medications, or illnesses, may
cause a reduction in the amount of saliva present
in your mouth. This is called "dry mouth"
or xerostomia, which can cause an increased risk
of tooth decay.
Saliva is the mouth's built-in defense against the
development of harmful plaque because it washes
away the acids that are produced when plaque interacts
with sugar, in the things you eat and drink. Less
saliva inhibits this process and, therefore, puts
your teeth at greater risk for decay.
Dry mouth can also cause an increase in gum problems.
You can overcome "dry mouth" by using
artificial saliva products which can lubricate the
mouth during, and after meals. In addition, your
dentist may recommend a range of home care products
that will make your teeth more resistant to decay.
Fluoride treatments, such as Oral-B STOP® Gel,
or fluoride mouth rinses, go straight to the tooth
surfaces, to help prevent decay. |
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| How does a lifetime
of brushing affect my teeth and gums? |
As you get older, the
chances are that your gums will start to recede
- this makes the teeth appear longer. This process
will start to expose the root of the tooth, which
can cause an increased risk of tooth decay, called
root
caries and can cause dentin
hypersensitivity.
A thorough daily oral care routine, which includes
brushing and flossing, plus regular fluoride treatments,
administered by your dentist, can help make your
teeth more resistant to decay and can help alleviate
the pain associated with sensitive teeth. |
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| How will a
change in my diet affect my oral health? |
| Often, as you get older,
your eating and drinking habits alter, which may
involve an increased consumption of sugary snacks
and drinks. Try to keep frequent snacking to a minimum
since this will reduce the amount of times your
teeth come under attack from plaque acids, thereby
reducing the risk of tooth decay. |
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