We all know to brush and floss regularly, but as we age, NDYers™ must be even more vigilant.  The NDY Generation™ endorses getting an electric tooth brush which makes brushing easier, more fun, and helps with those arthritic aches and pains.  The Soniccare DiamondClean toothbrush from Philips gets the NDY™ endorsement.  It may be more expensive, but the results are worth the extra expense.  Flossing is one necessary evil that most people try to avoid more then paying taxes.  Yet, it is probably the most important procedure for maintaining good oral hygiene.  NDY™ finds good ole waxed floss to work fine, but if you need a crutch, there are simple floss holders and more elaborate electric flossers on the market produced by Sonicare, Waterpik, and Oral B that get mixed reviews.  However, some folks love their electric flossers.  If you do not want to spend the money for these twenty-first century tools, yet still find brushing and flossing hard on your joints, you can purchase an inexpensive rubber grip to slide over a toothbrush that can help with hand fatigue or simply attach the toothbrush or floss holder to your hand with a rubber band.   Both may work just fine.  You won’t look too cool, but whomever you’re with may think your ingenuity is sexy.  If you have less saliva and dry mouth gingivitis, what we call bad breath, can get out of control.  NDY™ suggests asking your dentist for a prescription for Peridex, a rinsing solution that can often help.  

Another important way you can advocate for your dental health is by making your dentist fully aware of all your current medications and what making sure the dentist knows all of your health problems.  Don’t be shy!  The NDY Generation™ strongly encourages a proactive approach with almost everything.  Do not become invisible because of your age!  Let everyone know what you need and what you want.  We are the NDY Generation™!  Let the world know you expect to be heard and respected!

Because we are the NDY Generation™, more work and corrective procedures have been progressively applied to our teeth through the years.  Some of these “restorations,” if you will, have substances and materials that simply do not last and can actually become obstacles to good dental health.  Again, let your dentist know what has been in your mouth.  Well, keep that explanation limited to what has been done professionally inside your mouth.  Dentures and other dental prostheses have progressed exponentially in the past few years.  Find out what is new on the market and how these advancements can not only make you look hotter, but can provide comfort and better health.  Our teeth also shift with age, like the foundation of an old house, and they may need to be jacked up.  Orthodontia has come a long way since the 1950s and is less painful, intrusive, and more expedient.  If you look at the teeth of younger generations, they are gorgeous!  There is no reason, if finances allow, that you cannot have orthodontic procedures as you get older.  Also, don’t be shy about asking your dental professional about how any of these procedures may be structured in order to put some of the financial strain on the insurance company or government.  NDY™ believes they can afford it more then us, and one way of honoring the elder population is by allowing society to provide for us financially.  It’s no sin if the care of parents and grandparents make taxes go up.  The older generation shouldn’t be a “tax burden.”  We should be an “honor tax!”