At any age, consistently maintaining good oral and dental hygiene is a must – and can seem like a chore. But for those 50 and above (and especially for seniors), the threat of deterioration of the teeth, gum tissue, and even of the alveolar bone ridge in which teeth naturally sit, becomes very real.

Thus, it is very important that we use quality oral health products and techniques in our older years. And there are even some products especially designed for older adults.

Here are the top 5 products to use in maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile for all of your years!

1. Your Perfect Toothbrush & Using It Right
Finding the perfect toothbrush must be central to any dental hygiene routine. First of all, never use your manual toothbrush for more than 3 months – any brush is inadequate when it starts to fray. Second, be sure you use a soft-bristled brush since these will not hurt your gum tissue and are actually more effective at plaque removal than their hard-bristled cousins. Third, look for angular or multi-leveled bristled as such shapes clean teeth more effectively. Fourth, don’t neglect to choose an ergonomically designed handle and a handle length that suits you.

Many people, especially those over 50, prefer to use an electric toothbrush. So long as it has a round, oscillating heads, it will outperform manual brushes by 20% on plaque removal.

Finally, brush slowly and not too hard. Use vertical strokes, while holding your brush horizontally. And brush over the gums at a 45-degree angle. Two minutes of brushing twice daily is a good routine.

2. Special Toothpastes That “Fit Your Teeth”
What you put on the bristles is as important as the bristles themselves! There are specially formulated toothpaste products for those with gingivitis or with gums that easily bleed, which typically contain stannous fluoride. For extra-sensitive teeth, try a toothpaste with potassium nitrate in it.

Always ensure fluoride is included in your toothpaste’s ingredient list as fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel. And avoid anything with sugary or starchy additives.

3. Choosing The Best Floss Type
Today, there are many different kinds of dental floss available, many more than in years gone by. There is no reason you shouldn’t carefully select a product that benefits your teeth and gums most.

Floss sticks are highly convenient and easy to use. The pick on the reverse side also enables you to remove food particles stuck between teeth and scrape tartar/plaque off the top of your gum line (to prevent gingivitis).

Also, consider traditional floss for its longer reach and its ability to wrap around teeth and scrape them cleaner. Thin floss will get in between tightly spaced teeth, while thick floss is better at grabbing and holding plaque and food debris. Finally, look for special floss types and dental picks that clean dental implants, dentures, and other dental appliances with ease.

4. A Powerful Dental Mouthwash
One of your first lines of defense against getting gum disease is regularly using an antiseptic, anti-microbial dental mouthwash. There are a great diversity of effective ingredients, and many brands include essential oils and other natural ingredients to fight bad breath as well.

You will find mouth rinses on the market that are designed for preventing or for helping to eliminate gingivitis. And most products also include fluoride to help fight cavities.

5. Teeth Whitening Products
Finally, our teeth often lose their whiteness as we age. Whitening strips, teeth-whitening toothpastes, hydrogen peroxide gels, and other over the counter products can help. For deeper stains, see your local periodontist.

Keeping up good dental hygiene is key to both oral and overall health. To learn more, contact Ormond Beach Periodontics & Implant Dentistry today!