Oral Hygiene and seniors
I know, a lot of seniors
feel that it isn’t worth the time or expense to get comprehensive dental exams
anymore. Now that pearly teeth and a
killer smile are no longer a fashion statement, why bother? However, studies now tell us that poor oral
hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems. Problems can range from gum disease,
infections, and bone loss to even more alarming incidences of heart disease and
stroke.
Regular dental examinations,
flossing and brushing are a must and worth the effort if they can reduce the
chances of heart disease. I read an
article by Anjali Athavaley (The Wall Street Journal, Thursday, September 18,
2008) about new devices about sanitizing your toothbrushes between uses. I thought I was doing a pretty good job by
just air drying and replacing my toothbrush ever month or so but this sounds
even better. If you are really grossed
out by grimy toothbrushes you will be pleased to know that more comprehensive
toothbrush care (sanitizers) is on the market. The latest
products use ultraviolet or steam technology for cleaning your brush. Studies show that toothbrush sanitizers can
remove most of the bacteria from your brushes.
Products examined included
the Violight Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer which uses UV technology. It is stylish and modern, looks like an egg
and doesn’t take up much space on your counter.
It is battery operated and takes about six minutes to really clean your
brush. The Germ Terminator Toothbrush Sanitizer uses
steam to clean your toothbrush. Put your
brush in the basket, add water and let it steam and dry over 10 minutes. Phillips Sonicare UV Sanitizer takes about 10
minutes and the Violight Countertop Toothbrush Sanitizer which also does the
job in 10 minutes. Prices range from $30 to $50.
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