As we take a look at recent studies, numbers reveal that dental health becomes an issue with increasing age. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, almost one in five older Australians have lost all of their teeth, more than 65% experience gum disease and about 20% suffer from untreated tooth decay. As these conditions cause not only pain and affect the patient’s ability to take in solid foods, late research has linked such syndromes to heart disease, various kinds of cancer and type 2 diabetes since inflammation and infection in the mouth can spread throughout the body. To prevent you from suffering severe diseases when older, we have put together a couple of tips to maintain not only your dental but overall health.

Use the right toothpaste

To help keep your teeth clean, every dental health professional advises brushing twice a day using a pea-sized squirt of fluoridated toothpaste. The naturally occurring mineral is a big cavity fighter and therefore added to tap water in many territories. Stay away from whitening toothpaste, as some brands will wear down the vital enamel and can, thus, cause irreparable damage.

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The right brush

As brushing your teeth is the basis for good oral health, a review of studies showed that generally electric devices do a better job in decreasing plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. The electric vibration and rotation of bristles allow removing plaque build-up from teeth and gums up to 21% more successfully.

Floss frequently

To prevent tooth decay, food debris that got stuck between the teeth should be cleaned instantly to avoid plaque build-up before damage is done. To complement your daily brushing, stuck food can be removed easily after meals by flossing, a water jet or an interdental brush.

Have regular check-ups

Even though your teeth seem to be healthy, regular visits to the dentist are essential to prevent any diseases and examine your overall dental health. Ideally twice a year, an oral health professional should check your teeth for cavities and broken fillings as well as gum disease.

Cancer detection

When going for your dental check-up, our professionals dentist in maroubra will not only check your mouth and gums for signs of oral cancer, the dentist will also check your lymph nodes for abnormalities. Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of certain cancer types or other serious diseases, which require immediate attention.

Don’t be afraid of x-rays

Even for adults that are at normal cavity risk, getting an x-ray every three to five years is the best way to keep on top of your health. An x-ray can find issues that are invisible to the naked eye such as growing teeth, which are blocked through the gum like an abscess, or other critical oral issues.