Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

3 Habits Of People With Healthy Teeth

Joe Lawrence

Having white, healthy teeth does not happen automatically. Many people who have healthy and attractive teeth and gums do more for the health of their teeth than just brushing and flossing. Here are a few of those things:

Rinsing With Water After Snacks and Meals

Often, people with great teeth carry a water bottle with them. The water can be used for rinsing in addition to drinking. As the mouth is rinsed with water, leftover food is washed away. Additionally, oral bacteria and plaque are also removed. This can be helpful, especially since you may not have a toothbrush and paste handy when you are away from home.

Chewing Sugarless Gum 

Gum can also be a great adjunct to your oral health regimen. Sugarless gum helps dislodge food that may be left in the mouth after eating. It also helps the mouth release more saliva so that the mouth stays hydrated and bacterial acids remain diluted.

Much of the decay in the mouth is caused by acid that is secreted by oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans. When the bacteria inside the mouth eat leftover carbohydrates in the oral cavity, they release acid as they digest the food. The acid causes the corrosion of the tooth enamel, resulting in the development of cavities.

Some sugarless gum varieties can be more beneficial than others. Gum that contains substances that are naturally antibacterial, such as xylitol or cinnamon, can help control the number of bacteria in your mouth.

In addition, some gum contains teeth-whitening substances, such as titanium dioxide, malic acid, and sodium bicarbonate. Titanium dioxide and sodium bicarbonate help polish dental discoloration from the tooth enamel. Malic acid helps dissolve trapped stains, so they are can be more easily removed.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is performed by rinsing your mouth with oil for several minutes before spitting it out. Oils, such as coconut oil or olive oil, are usually used. A spoonful of oil is placed in the oral cavity and swished through the teeth and around the mouth until you feel that you must spit it out. Once you release the oil, you rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth. 

The oil traps the bacteria in your mouth, so they are removed when you spit out the substance. Additionally, oil pulling is also known to whiten the teeth.

To learn more ways to improve your oral health, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area, such as those found at Smile Makers Dental.


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Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs

Caring for an elderly parent tends to be tough enough without the added stress of dealing with dental implants or dentures. But, the prospect is not the end of the world—there are many things you can do to ensure that your parent's dental health is not compromised without having to spend a lot of personal time doing the care yourself. Between working with the right dentist, hiring a service provider for part time work, and giving your parent the tools he or she needs to care for his or her own dental health at home, you'll find that dental health for your loved one isn't so tough or time consuming after all. Hopefully you are able to get the support and information you need right here.

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