Tips for Elderly Dental Care

Aging can be stressful- but taking care of your teeth as a senior should be stress-free! Just like at any age, dental hygiene is of critical importance to seniors, but some might worry about how to maintain great dental hygiene at an older age. To help keep your mouth healthy and make sure your oral care is as free of stress as possible your Salinas Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Cureton, has some dental care tips tailored specifically to seniors:

Stay hydrated

The more hydrated a mouth the better- especially for older mouths. Mouths that are too dry can lead to the rotting of gums and teeth and can cause an overall disintegration of oral health. As you get older, your mouth makes less and less saliva, which can make it difficult to keep your mouth as moist as it should be. To maintain a healthy amount of moisture, seniors should drink plenty of water and cut down on their consumption of sugary drinks. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy can also increase saliva production and help keep a mouth hydrated and healthy.

Stop using tobacco products
Among the great dangers of smoking are several detrimental effects to your teeth and mouth. Throat and mouth cancers are very dangerous and are often caused by smoking or chewing tobacco. Yellowing and weakening of the teeth are also side effects of tobacco use. Smoking affects both the health and the appearance of your smile. To make sure your mouth stays looking and feeling great, stay away from cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Switch to a fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride can help protect your mouth and reduce the risk of cavities. To increase your oral health, check to make sure that your toothpaste contains fluoride or switch to a toothpaste that does. Adding a fluoride rinse is a good alternative to switching toothpastes.

Don’t grind your teeth

As you age, your teeth often get thinner and more brittle, which means grinding your teeth can lead to broken teeth. If grinding continues, teeth might even break all the way to the nerve- causing lots of problems and pain. To keep these problems from arising, stop grinding your teeth once and for all. For night grinders, purchase a night guard from your local drug store. These guards are easy to fit to your mouth and can yield immediate results.

Brush and floss regularly

At any age, brushing and flossing your teeth regularly are great habits for keeping your entire mouth at its prime. Flossing is necessary for keeping your mouth healthy and free of gum disease, which can sometimes lead to tooth loss. Brushing your teeth regularly is equally important in order to minimize plaque buildup and reduce the risk of cavities and other dental concerns. To keep your mouth at the top of its game, be sure to floss daily and brush at least twice a day. If brushing or flossing becomes difficult due to arthritis or other health problems, your Fresno dentist recommends switching to an electric toothbrush and handheld flossers to make your oral hygiene routine stress and pain free.

Schedule regular dentist appointments

Regardless of your age, regular dentist visits are important, but as you get older the importance of seeing your Salinas Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Russell Cureton, at least once a year gets even greater. While you might be inclined to visit your dentist on an ¨as needed¨ basis, this can be dangerous as a senior. One side effect of aging is losing the sensitivity in your teeth, meaning you might not be able to feel pain in your teeth that might signify serious dental problems. Seeing a dentist insures that even the earliest signs of dental problems are detected and handled properly. Annual visits to the dentist are an important step in keeping your entire mouth looking and feeling young and beautiful.

Don’t let the stress of aging keep you from taking great care of your teeth. With a little extra attention and continuing your existing oral hygiene habits, your smile can continue to be a gorgeous, healthy, and youthful piece of you.

If you have questions or need assistance in taking care of your smile at any age, contact your Salinas Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Cureton's office.

9 Myths about Invisalign

Invisalign is a “new age” type of braces that many patients may opt for over traditional metal braces for a variety of reasons. The Invisalign treatment trays are clear so they are not noticeable, they are also removable so they are easy to clean and, a series of trays can be dispensed at each appointment so the number of appointment visits are reduced.  As many patients considering  improving their smiles are moving towards this option, there are many myths that Dr. Cureton would like to dispel.

1.     All dentists are equal in their knowledge of Invisalign treatment.

 

a.     FACT:  like any subject, there is much to know about treatment, thus the level of knowledge and experience of Invisalign treatment among dentists is varied.  Some dentists have been slow to adopt Invisalign treatment into their practices which limits their practical experience.

2.     Invisalign takes longer than traditional braces. 

a.     FACT:  certain orthodontic problems are more efficiently treated with traditional metal braces.  The majority of the time, however, treatment length time using Invisalign is comparable to traditional braces and may sometimes be faster.

3.     Invisalign results are not as good as traditional braces. 

a.     FACT:   if your treatment is done with a dentist that is experienced with Invisalign , the final product may be as good as with traditional braces.

4.     Invisalign trays make it hard to talk. 

a.     FACT:  the majority of people who use Invisalign do not have any problem speaking normally with their aligners in place.  As you become accustomed to the continued use of the aligners, your speech will adapt.

5.     Only adults can use Invisalign. 

a.     FACT:  many dentists make Invisalign available to their patients of all ages.  Patients as young as 12 years old have been treated with much success.   The only concern may be ensuring your child keeps their trays in at all times.

6.     Invisalign is only for minor tooth movement

a.     FACT:  Invisalign, in the hands of a skilled dentist, can be used to correct almost any orthodontic problem that traditional braces can. Experienced dentists  may even offer Invisalign treatment to their patients with severe crowding that requires removal of teeth or severe “overbites”.

7.     Only orthodontists can perform Invisalign treatment. 

a.     FACT:  all dentists can provide treatment with Invisalign with appropriate specific Invisalign training and knowledge of orthodontic treatment. 

8.     Invisalign is much more expensive than traditional braces. 

a.     FACT:  Invisalign treatment fees should be comparable to traditional braces’s fees.

9.     Invisalign treatment requires appointments every 2 weeks.

a.     FACT: with proper treatment planning, staging and education ,  a series of treatment Invisalign trays may be dispensed to the patient enabling patients to  go 1 to 3 months between appointments while progressing in their treatment

If you are in the Salinas Valley-Monterey Bay area, or even Gilroy or Hollister area and are considering braces for yourself or a family member, make sure to contact Dr. Cureton for a free consultation about how he can help you have the smile of your dreams.