THE IDEA THAT LOSING A TOOTH IS UNAVOIDABLE IS A MISCONCEPTION.
10 years younger
Taking care of our teeth and oral health becomes increasingly vital as we get older. The idea that losing a tooth is unavoidable is a misconception. This is a false statement. Our teeth can last a lifetime if they are well cared for.
As we grow older, our mouth changes. Our teeth’ nerves can shrink, making them less sensitive to cavities and other problems. If a person does not undergo regular dental exams, these issues may not be detected until too late.
It may come as a surprise, but dental health and ageing are linked. A growing body of data suggests that brushing the teeth can help avoid heart disease and possibly dementia.
This makes me think of a story I once heard. Joana married and had a child when she was forty (40) years old. She began to experience dental problems. When she cleaned her teeth, she noticed that her gums were bleeding and that two (2) of her teeth had small cavities.
She was embarrassed about her dental issues, but an elderly woman informed her, “It is normal to lose teeth when you have infants.” “A tooth for each child,” as we say.”
Tracy, a friend of Joana’s, came to see her one day. She was a mother of two (2), so Joana bombarded her with questions about kids and pregnancy. She informed her about her dental problems and what the elderly lady had said. “A tooth for each child.”
“But that is not the truth!” Tracy sobbed. “You think your tooth and gum problems are due to your pregnancy, but I bet you are having these problems for all the usual reasons.”
She posed the following questions to her:
- How often do you eat now that you are pregnant?
- Do you brush your teeth?
Tracy discovered that her friend ate significantly more than she used to and did not brush her teeth as frequently as she did before becoming pregnant.
Having shared this story, we will look at keeping and improving our oral health.
Advice on how to keep your teeth healthy and improve your smile
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush twice a day. Electric toothbrushes may also be beneficial.
- Use a flossing tool once a day to clean the teeth.
- Drink water from the tap. Because most include fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay regardless of one’s age.
- Stop smoking. In addition to increasing your chance of lung and other cancers, smoking also raises your risk of gum disease, dental decay, and tooth loss.
- Visit the dentist regularly for a thorough dental examination.
