As you age, so does your smile. Our New Albany, IN dental office is popular among senior citizens who want high quality care for their teeth. Dr. Receveur is not only a dental implant expert, he’s an experienced dentist who can help guide in all aspects of caring for your dental health.
Here are some tips for keeping your smile looking as young as you feel. For hands-on care from Dr. Receveur, you can schedule a consultation by calling our dental office at (812) 945-7645.
Diet And Your Smile
At any age, your diet is an important fact in the health and beauty of your smile. But as your and your body becomes more susceptible to health issues, diet becomes even more important. Some ways you can eat to benefit your teeth are:
• Limit your sugar intake. That includes hard candies and cough drops that fill your mouth with sugar for extended periods of time. This can lead to tooth decay.
• Up your calcium intake. Consuming dairy like milk, cheese, and yogurt, and eating dark green veggies like broccoli and spinach, can help your body get the calcium it needs to keep your bones strong.
• Drink water. It will help combat dry mouth by increasing your natural saliva production. Your saliva helps manage the bacteria in your mouth. Bad bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Preventive Treatment
Old age is no time to go on autopilot with your dental care. You must be as vigilant as ever you want your teeth to last as long as possible. Make sure you:
• Keep regular six month check up appointments with your dentist.
• Have any issues like cavities taken care of right away.
• Continue to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.
• Don’t use your teeth as tools. This could cause a tooth to crack, break, or chip off.
• It’s never too late to stop smoking. It can be harmful for your overall health and complicate any oral issues you might have.
Caring For Replacement Teeth
Replacement, much like your natural teeth, require regular maintenance. By caring for your replacement teeth, they will care for you by continuing to look and feel great.
• Let Dr. Receveur regularly inspect your dentures for fit and wear and tear. Worn dentures can cause you discomfort. Your mouth also changes over time, so the fit of your dentures may need to be adjusted or your dentures replaced.
• If you have a dental bridge and crowns, your crowns may need to be replaced periodically. Dr. Receveur will also keep an eye on your teeth supporting the bridge as the additional responsibility can make them more likely to get cavities.
• If you have dental implants, it’s true they won’t get cavities, but you still want to floss and brush regularly so bacteria doesn’t irritate the gums around your dental implants.
Health Issues That Can Affect Your Smile
If you have any of the following health issues or are undergoing certain treatments, be sure to let Dr. Receveur know. He’ll want to pay closer attention to your oral health and may even request to see for appointments more frequently.
• Diabetes
• Chemo treatment
• Arthritis
• Heart disease
• A drastic change in hormones like menopause
Certain medications you’re taking may also affect the appearance or health of your smile. Your doctor will generally mention the most likely side effects your medication can have and you can also ask Dr. Receveur what you should be looking for.
Here For You In A Dental Emergency
As you get older you might find that you have accidents or unexpected injuries more frequently. You shouldn’t allow that to make you feel embarrassed. It simply comes with the territory.
Dr. Receveur’s office has a special dental emergency line, so his patients can connect with our office when they have an urgent need. For emergency care call 812-945-SMILE.
What does a dental emergency look like?
• Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
• Tooth that has become knocked loose or has been knocked out
• A really painful toothache
• A cut inside your mouth
If you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing is a dental emergency, just call us and we can advise you in what steps you need to take next. You may need to come in immediately or you may be able to wait until the next available appointment.
Don’t let old age be an excuse to stop caring for your smile. Schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Receveur today to learn more about what you can be doing for your teeth and gums. Our number is (812) 945-7645.