A healthy smile is a bonus at any age. Your teeth and gums can keep their youthful appearance well into later life if you have been practicing good dental habits.

Aging does not cause tooth decay and gum disease. The following steps can be taken to prevent gum disease and tooth decay:

• Floss your teeth at least once a day.
  Flossing removes the plaque from under the gum line. The toothbrush cannot reach this area.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
  Brush gently with a soft bristled toothbrush. Angle the brush into the gums; Use a short back and forth motion. Do not scrub. Clean every surface of each tooth - the chewing surface, the cheek side and the tongue side. Brush your tongue as well. Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or after an illness.
• Check your mouth and gums.
  Carefully check your mouth and gums for early signs of disease such as red, swollen or bleeding gums.
• Eat a nutritious and balanced diet.
  Without the right nutrients, your teeth and gums are more prone to decay and gum disease. Choose foods from Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. It is important that everyone maintains their calcium intake throughout life. Calcium helps us keep strong bones and teeth.
• Use fluoride.
  Fluoride is as important for the dental health of adults as it is for children. Fluoride added to the water supply is the best and least expensive way to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride can also be found in most toothpaste and some mouthrinses. It can also be applied by your dentist.
• Visit your dental professional.
  Every year your mouth should be checked. Hard deposits called tartar should be removed. An oral checkup can reveal symptoms of other medical conditions such as diabetes and oral cancer.

If you suffer from limited movement (e.g. arthritis) you may find it difficult to brush and floss. To make it easier to hold your toothbrush, try enlarging the handle by attaching it to a styrofoam or sponge ball. For those with limited shoulder movement, brushing may be easier if the handle is lengthened by attaching a piece of wood or plastic. Electric toothbrushes and floss holders are helpful with flossing.

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place. Bacteria attack the tissues that surround and support the teeth. If gum infection develops below the gum line, it can spread to the roots of your teeth, and the tissue and jaw bone that support the teeth. Periodontal disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

In advanced stages, it can lead to chewing problems and even tooth loss. Pain is not usually a warning sign of early periodontal disease. Pain, abscesses, and loosening of teeth do not occur until the disease is advanced.

Signs of gum disease:

• Red, puffy, shiny or tender gums
• Gums that bleed during toothbrushing. Healthy gums do not bleed.
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Pus between teeth and gums
• An unpleasant taste
• Loose or shifting teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• A change in the fit of partial dentures.

Dental Health is an important part of overall health. Oral diseases still remain among the most common of all chronic health conditions. New research is finding that a healthy mouth leads to a healthier body.

Oral cancer is one of the easiest cancers to detect, but frequently goes unnoticed in its early stages when it is curable. Pain is rarely one of the early symptoms.

Symptoms that may appear in the mouth, on your tongue or on the lips:

• Red or white patches that will not rub off.
• Sores or swelling that last longer than two weeks.
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
• Numbness or pain

Habits that increase the risk of oral cancer are:

• Use of tobacco products (cigarettes, chewing tobacco).
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Excessive time spent out in the sun.

Radiation and chemotherapy can cause:

• Dry mouth
• Tooth decay
• Painful mouth sores
• Cracked and bleeding lips.

Have all necessary dental work done before starting cancer treatment.

Brushing
Angle brush towards your gums.  Gently brush back and forth with short vibrating strokes on all sides of your teeth.

Flossing

Wrap floss around middle fingers (use about 1/2 metre or 18 inches).

Position for top teeth

Position for bottom teeth

Gently floss between the teeth and under the gums. Move up and down, then move to the next tooth.

For further information contact your local dental health educator/coordinator or your local dental team.