| Allan I. Abolafia, D.D.S. |  |
Allen W. Ackerman, D.D.S. |
| THE TOOTH TRIBUNE |
|
Gum-Saving Tips for Seniors: Tongue Scraping Sounds silly? Yes, it does, but it can be an effective way to fight gum disease. Anaerobic (without oxygen) bacteria, are the kind of bacteria that are the "heavies" when it comes to causing periodontal (i.e., gum) disease. They hide under food particles and under the mucus that coats the tongue. Lifting the sulfurous compounds from the tongue will inhibit the growth of bacteria and help to prevent bad breath. Ask us about tongue scraper and tongue cleaners and we'll tell you what's best for you. Remember the Hormones Postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy may actually be helping to prevent gum disease. HRT may reduce inflammation and bone loss in the mouth, often caused by estrogen deficiency and osteoporosis. Here's a Tip If your teeth are close together or you have fillings which occasionally catch your dental floss, a rubber-tipped oral stimulator or a balsa toothpick (e.g., Stimudents) can help you to get into hard to reach places and remove food particles. Time to Check Your Medications 
One particular kind of high blood pressure medication, nifedipine, has been shown, in some cases, to enlarge the gums and cause them to bleed. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, 20 to 40 percent of nifedipine users experienced such symptoms. If you are taking this medication, it's especially important for you to visit your dentists regularly to prevent swelling and the possibility of infection. Last But Never Least 
Proper brushing, flossing, dietary habits and routinely scheduled visits to the dentist are your best defense. Use what you've learned to have healthy teeth and gums well into your senior years.
|