Many are under the assumption that natural teeth never last for a lifetime and dentures are inevitable at some point in life—but that is simply not true. By taking proactive measures, and maintaining proper oral care, you can have confidence to keep your teeth for the entirety of your life. Take a look at the following tips below on how to avoid dentures.
Maintain 6-Month Checkups with Your Dentist
One of the simplest ways to avoid dentures is to maintain regular 6-month checkups with your dentist. As you get older, the nerves in your teeth become less and less sensitive, which in turn will make you less aware of an oncoming toothache and cavity. By maintaining regular checkups, your dentist is more likely to catch a cavity while it’s still small and the tooth can be preserved. However, if a cavity becomes large (and you can’t tell you have one because your nerves aren’t sending pain signals), the tooth may not be able to be saved. Additionally, your dentist will be able to keep tabs on overall gum and oral health through checkups. If signs of oral cancer or gum diseases appear, you’ll be able to start treating them sooner when the condition is smaller.
Continue to Brush and Floss Regularly
Simply brushing and flossing your teeth two to three times a day will put you on the right track to avoiding dentures. By brushing and flossing, you’ll avoid tooth decay that will weaken your teeth and cause them to lose some of their original structure that could lead to needing dentures later in life.
Switch to an Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes offer many benefits—they offer a more thorough cleaning each day and night, but they’re also great options for people dealing with arthritis. People suffering from arthritis may not be able to brush their teeth as well as they used to, and that could create issues in their dental health. An electric toothbrush typically offers a more effective cleaning to everyone, but especially to those who may not be able to brush as effectively with a normal toothbrush.
Drink Fluoridated Water
Fluoride is one of the best substances for strengthening your teeth long-term. Fluoride keeps tooth enamel strong and helps reverse tooth decay that can be caused from eating sugar. When you eat sugar, bacteria is made that produces acid, which eats away at your teeth, stripping the teeth of the surface-level minerals. Fluoride helps remineralize teeth and prevents cavities.
The tips above on how to avoid dentures may seem to require a lifelong effort, but the required steps should be incorporated into your daily regardless of what your denture plans include. To get started on maintaining regular dental checkups, request an appointment today.