Tariq Drabu Advises Why Oral Health in Older Adults is So Important

Tariq Drabu is a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon and the owner of the Langley Dental Practice in Middleton in the United Kingdom. He has advised that more focus is being placed on older adults oral health these days and wants patients to understand why a good oral health routine is so important in older years.

Higher risk

Older adults are at a higher risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease and more. As we get older our hands don't work as well, making it harder to hold a toothbrush or stand to brush our teeth for a full two or three minutes. Many patients in their older years find that they start suffering with tooth sensitivity and unwelcome gum disease, which can be detrimental to their oral health in the long run.

Routine dental check-ups

A very high percentage of older adults have not seen a dentist in the past year. This is something that cannot be cancelled or postponed. Tariq Drabu advised that there is a reason why dentists get their patients to come back for a follow up or check-up. The routine appointment is an opportunity for the dentist to identify if there are any underlying problems or dental issues that are just starting, this helps them put an effective treatment in place without delay, reducing the risk of the issue getting any worse, which could cost the patient more in the long run.

Relying on carers

Tariq Drabu stated that a large percentage of older adults in the United Kingdom rely on their carers to provide them with the oral care that they need. There has been a lot of focus on this of late and a guide book has been made available for carers on how to effectively care for their seniors teeth as part of their personal care plan.

Good routines

It is important, according to Tariq Drabu, that children and adults get into the habit of following a good oral health routine which can enable them to form a habit. This habit can be followed well into their senior years.

A good oral health routine should be:

1. Brush teeth twice daily. Once before bed and once in the morning.
2. Brush for a full two to three minutes focusing on each individual tooth.
3. Use a fluoride based toothpaste.
4. Change your toothbrush every three months or earlier if brush becomes frayed.
5. Floss daily
6. Attend routine dental check-ups.