Healthy Ageing and why looking after your mouth matters

Healthy ageing is about more than simply adding years to your life. It is about making sure you can continue to live well, comfortably and independently.

When we think about healthy ageing, we often focus on staying active, eating well, looking after our heart and maintaining our mental wellbeing. But one important part of our health can sometimes be overlooked - our oral health.

The mouth plays an important role in everyday life. It helps us eat, drink, speak, and swallow and as we get older, taking care of the mouth becomes increasingly important especially if you have spent years looking after it well.

Understanding dry mouth as we age

Dry mouth is a common condition that can affect people at any age, but it can become more prevalent as we get older. For some people, it may simply feel like an occasional feeling of dryness or thirst but for others, it can become a persistent and uncomfortable condition that affects everyday activities such as eating, speaking or sleeping.

There are many potential causes of dry mouth, including certain medications and medical treatments, as well as lifestyle and health factors. Medications (prescription and over the counter) are the leading cause of dry mouth and as we age, there is a higher chance of needing to take certain medications which can be linked to reduced saliva production. But an important thing to remember is dry mouth shouldn't simply be accepted as an inevitable part of getting older.

Why does a healthy mouth matter?

A comfortable, healthy mouth can make a real difference to quality of life. Dryness can make eating and swallowing more difficult and may affect how enjoyable food and drink are. It can also cause discomfort and make everyday activities such as talking or wearing dentures more challenging, and not to mention sleep disturbances. Maintaining good oral hygiene is therefore an important part of supporting overall wellbeing as we age.

There are also several other habits that can help look after the mouth such as staying hydrated and having a balanced diet with reduced sugars. Using specially formulated products designed for dry mouth such as Oralieve can also have a significant impact on mouth comfort. The Oralieve range is formulated to help supplement the saliva and moisturise the mouth whilst promoting a healthy mouth.

Age well with a healthy smile

Looking after your oral health might seem like a small part of your wider health routine, but it can certainly have a big impact on how we feel every day. Whether it's enjoying a meal with family, having a conversation with friends or simply being comfortable throughout the night, a healthy and comfortable mouth can help you continue to enjoy the things that matter.

If you have any concerns on your oral health or dry mouth, speak to your Dentist or Pharmacist for professional advice.