Oral health for seniors

Oral health not only involves your teeth, it also involves your lips, tongue, saliva and gums. There are 5 easy to remember points that make up the simple guide to having a healthy mouth and maintaining good health.

They are eat well, drink well, clean well, play well and stay well.

 

Focusing on clean well, here are 5 tips for oral health:

  1. Brush morning and night, using a soft toothbrush on gums, tongue and teeth.
  2. Use a pea-size amount of standard fluoride toothpaste.
  3. Spit out residue toothpaste but do not rinse the mouth after brushing. This allows the fluoride to pass effectively into the teeth.
  4. Replace a toothbrush: (i) when the bristles become shaggy; (ii) every three months; and (iii) following an acute infection, such as thrush. This helps to prevent harm to the mouth.
  5. Use dental floss and interdental brushes (with care) to remove debris from between teeth.

 

There are also CLEAN WELL oral health tips for those with dentures:

  1. Clean dentures daily with a denture brush and liquid soap to remove plaque from all surfaces, then rinse well under running water.
  2. Do not use toothpaste, it is abrasive and can damage the denture surface.
  3. Hold the dentures carefully while brushing, and clean them in a bowl of water placed in a sink to protect them from breakage if dropped.
  4. Brush gums and tongue with a standard toothbrush to remove plaque in the mouth.
  5. Remove dentures overnight and store in cold water. This allows gum tissue to rest.

 

Interested in similar articles? Why not check these out:

five steps to good gut health

Maintaining brain health

The benefits of more time outdoors

 

Source and more tips visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth/prevention/Publications/oral-health-older-people-toolkit.pdf

 

Close