Monthly Archives: April 2018

Sports and Oral Health

A solid workout is one of the more valuable contributions just about anyone can make for health. Your weight, your mood, your entire quality of life is improved with physical exercise.

Sugary energy bars and drinks, consumed steadily over the course of a long work-out and the stage is set for tooth decay. Sugar converts to glucose which speedily fuels muscles with extra energy during races and training.

Saliva is one of the mouth’s strongest natural defenses against tooth decay and gum disease. Lower saliva rates after workout, decrease the mouth’s ability to fight acid-forming bacteria, and keep itself clean. Teeth are now left defenseless to the effects of the acid produced by sugar-fueled bacteria.

Few tips that can really change the equation:

• Stay hydrated and  consider increasing your salt intake, which enables your body to retain water.
• Choose your energy bars and drinks carefully.
• Rinse your mouth with water if you must quick-fuel with sugary bars and drinks.
• Ask our staff about sealants and fluoride treatments. Let us know that you are an endurance athlete and we can discuss ways to help you prevent tooth decay from getting started.
• Brush and floss at least twice a day.  If your mouth is feeling especially rank after exercise, brush and floss then, too.

However, oral diseases are preventable by simple interventions with good evidence of efficacy.

5 Dental Care Tips to Keep your Mouth Healthy If You’re Over 60

1. Brush your teeth often

When you are in 60’s your teeth and gums inevitably have more wear and tear on them than when you were younger.

Be aware of your oral health, and take the necessary steps to keep your teeth and gums clean. At our Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day.

Brush gently and thoroughly, brushing too hard or using a toothpaste that is too abrasive can actually wear down your teeth enamel, which isn’t good.

2. Keep your removable dentures clean

Many senior citizens are opting to replace their removable dentures with a fixed denture or dental implants (more on that below). However, if you currently wear a removable denture, it’s important to clean it daily, since any bacteria or debris on your denture will likely come into contact with your gums, which could increase your chances of getting gum disease.

Even if you already have gum disease, you still want to care for your dentures appropriately, as gum disease can quickly accelerate into a more advanced stage called periodontal disease, which can, in turn, lead to a wide variety of health issues.

3. Avoid dry mouth, stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is not only important for your overall health, it’s important for your dental health as well.

Moistening your food also helps to avoid dry mouth. Moisten all dry foods with broth, sauces, milk or melted butter. Since your salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva, this will make it easier to chew and swallow.

4. Floss every day

Make flossing a habit, yet many people don’t do it. Most estimates show as adults who floss daily between 30-50%. Flossing removes small food particles, debris, and bacteria from between your teeth which would, in turn, make your mouth clean.

If you’re over the age of 60, and you’ve never made flossing part of your daily oral hygiene routine, get started now.

5. Missing one or more teeth, Get your dental implants now

Many senior persons are missing one or more teeth as a result of neglect or poor dental hygiene, and some cases, it can simply be attributed to wear and tear over the years, as well as genetics.

Dental implants are an ideal solution for many people over the age of 60, if you would like to learn more, Visit our page -Dental Enquiry