4. Issue: The return of cavities

The reply: Add more fluoride

​Even in the event you survived the “cavity-prone years” of yore, chances are you’ll suddenly be finding yourself back under the drill. Nearly 1 in 5 adults 65 or older have untreated tooth decay, because of issues like dry mouth and receding gums. The reply? Fluoride, an ingredient that’s consistently been shown to guard against tooth decay. “Fluoride is a worthwhile tool, not only with children but older adults too,” Calabrese says. Together with a fluoride toothpaste, he may additionally recommend a fluoride rinse, available at your drugstore, or a high-concentration prescription fluoride paste, rinse or varnish, applied as directed by your dentist, for more endurance.

5. Issue: A recent ‘sweet tooth’

The reply: Plan your treats

We start to lose a few of our 10,000 taste buds after age 50, which can eventually lead us to crave more intense flavors resembling sweets. If you should “help” your grandkids with their Halloween haul, limit your indulgence to at least one treat per day. The more times a day you expose teeth to sugar, the more opportunities for a bacteria feeding frenzy, advises ADA’s Jones.