Are you concerned about changes to your teeth? As we age, there are several things that start to change sadly but not all change has to be bad! With the right protocols and a few things in mind, we can keep our smiles looking as young as we feel. Too often skipping brushing our teeth can happen, resulting in gum disease, discolored teeth, and painful inflammation of the gums.
However, the good thing is you can undo some of this damage with some of the best dental products for seniors. As you age, you need to change the measures you used during your junior years since they might no longer work for you. Some of the dental products for seniors include:
Teeth Whitening Products
As you age, your teeth also age. The pure white teeth that you had are no longer there. It can be due to the coffee drinks you’ve been sipping, daily drinks, or just the shading off of the white outer layer of your teeth that covers the inner tissues.
Therefore, there is a need for you to take some action. Teeth whitening dental products are ideal for seniors to reveal brighter, whiter teeth. Get that lovely smile back to light using toothpaste that contains active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide will slowly fade the stubborn yellow stains and bring back your lively teeth.
The most vital and powerful whitening agent is the one that breaks down into chemicals that are okay to ingest, such as water and oxygen; hence hydrogen peroxide stands to be the best whitening ingredient.
Some of the best whitening dental products from Amazon include Luminex whitening strips, Colgate optic white pro series whitening toothpaste, and ismile Teeth Whitening Kit.
Moreover, you can also opt for a mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide as an ingredient. The dental product will still work the same way by removing the tough stains in your teeth.
Manual Toothbrushes
It’s so funny that people often forget to change their toothbrushes frequently. As a senior, you must change your toothbrush after three months. If you assume such a simple law, you will be digging your own teeth’s grave.
Another thing is that it’s not only about changing your toothbrush but also being vigilant with the attributes of your toothbrush. Check on the bristles before you purchase one. The bristles should be soft as it is the most comfortable and safer option.
However vigorous you brush your teeth, softer bristles are always easier on your gums than stiff bristles because they have the highest probability of damaging the gums, root surface, and tooth enamel.
The second attribute you should consider is an angled bristle brush or a leveled toothbrush. It is better for removing plaque for seniors than flat bristles.
Lastly, the size of the head of the toothbrush is also essential. Why do we say so? Small-headed toothbrushes are ideal since they can reach all corners of the mouth, including the sides and backs of your molars. A half-inch wide and one-inch tall head would be the most efficient and most accessible for you to use.
Some of the best manual toothbrushes recommended for seniors include Colgate 360 Extra soft Toothbrush, advanced white optic toothbrush, and Oral-B pulsar 3d White Advanced Vivid Soft.
Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes do an excellent job of removing plaque. These dental products remove 21% more plaque than regular ones. Thus, it is the preferable one for seniors.
They are also gentle on the gums and efficient to handle, especially if you have arthritis on the hands or wrist.
Like the manual, electric toothbrushes also have some qualities to consider before purchasing:
- The head of the toothbrush should be oscillating and not a vibrating head because the oscillating one is good at preventing periodontitis and removing the sticky films of bacteria that forms on the teeth..
- To add to that, also select a toothbrush that has the option of reducing the motor supply, has a warning light, or stops if you apply too much pressure.
An added advantage for an electric toothbrush is the sensitivity setting which most of them have. It provides customized cleaning actions for those who are in need.
Mouthwash
Another crucial dental product for seniors is mouthwash. Selecting the right mouthwash from the diverse ones in the market can be challenging.
Before purchasing any mouthwash, you should take your time to read the ingredients first. Your mouthwash should contain thymol, among other active ingredients.
These active ingredients will catalyze the killing of oral bacteria and reduce the odor in your mouth. Chlorhexidine and cetyl pyridinium chloride are potent ingredients to help you with stubborn plaque and inflamed gums but consult a dental provider before using. Chlorhexidine if used for too long can stain your teeth.
Toothpaste
A whitening toothpaste as we age can be best for our teeth. The enamel (the outer protective layer) gets thinner with time, and more dentin becomes exposed.
Dentin is yellow; thus, if exposed, that’s how the discoloration comes in. For toothpaste, the following should be essential:
Fluoride
Using Fluoride toothpaste is essential in fighting cavities that primarily affect children who are used to eating sweets and forget to brush their teeth frequently.
However, cavities can also affect seniors. Plaque (a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the gums all day) results in bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Fluoride helps remove these sticky films of bacteria and rebuild your enamel.
Anti-dry mouth
Anti-dry mouth toothpaste is also another essential dental product for seniors. As you age, you are most likely to be submitted to many medications, which can cause insufficient saliva production. That results in discomfort, bad breath, mouth sores, and trouble swallowing.
Saliva is essential in balancing the natural bacteria in your mouth to prevent tooth decay. Therefore, toothpaste with moisturizing components will significantly help. If your teeth are susceptible, a toothpaste with potassium nitrate will gradually ease the pain.
Lastly, you might have come across charcoal toothpaste. The ingredients might be too corrosive or ineffective in removing plaque. Get the right ingredients to get rid of the stubborn stains.
Dental Floss
Flossing helps remove bacteria, plaque, and stubborn food between your teeth. It also reduces tooth decay and gum disease.
These dental products have become so rampant. When choosing dental floss, you ought to be very careful, mainly because some stocks don’t wrap around your teeth well. However, when shopping, select the thin strings that can easily slip between your teeth, but they don’t do the job of removing plaque and food particles.
Moreover, if you would like to use a water flosser, get one that delivers water at a pressure between 50 and 90 psi. This pressure is enough to clean between your teeth without undue stress on your gum tissues.
You can get some dental floss like Solimo Mint Dental Flossers and Glide Oral-B Pro-Health Deep Clean Floss from Amazon-like.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, don’t allow aging myths to take control of your oral routine care plan. Choosing the right dental product for seniors can be overwhelming, but you can ease your work by reading the above information.
Don’t forget to brush your teeth with the right toothbrush and toothpaste at least twice a day, and most importantly, have frequent checkups with your dentist. Having a healthy smile is an essential part of aging.
