Healthy teeth and gums make it easy for you to eat well and enjoy good food.
Several problems can affect the health of your mouth, but good care should keep your teeth and gums strong as you age.
Tooth Decay
Teeth are covered in a hard, outer coating called enamel. Every day, a thin film of bacteria called dental plaque builds up on your teeth.
The bacteria in plaque produce acids that can harm enamel and cause cavities.
Brushing and flossing your teeth can prevent decay, but once a cavity forms, to avoid further damage, a dentist must fix it with a filling.
Use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay. If you are at a higher risk for tooth decay (for example, if you have a dry mouth because of a condition you have or medicines you take), you might need more fluoride.
Your dentist or dental hygienist may give you a fluoride treatment during an office visit or may tell you to use a fluoride gel or mouth rinse at home.
Gum Disease
Gum disease begins when plaque builds up along and under your gum line. Plaque causes an infection that hurts the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place.
A mild form of gum disease may make your gums red, tender, and more likely to bleed. This problem, called gingivitis, can often be fixed by brushing and flossing every day.
A more severe form of gum disease, called periodontitis, must be treated by a dentist. If not treated, this infection can lead to sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing problems, and even tooth loss.
To prevent gum disease:
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss regularly.
Visit your dentist routinely for a checkup and cleaning. Tell the dentist about any medical conditions you have and medications you take.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease.
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For more information about tooth health, please see recent studies about mouthwash that may increase your tooth damage, and results showing common tooth disease may increase the risk of dementia.
