The Importance Of Oral Health For Senior Citizens

As the old adage says, with age comes wisdom. And as we all grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention. One of those concerns is the importance of oral health for seniors. Just because people are more prone to oral health problems with age doesn’t mean you have to experience them. F&H offers some advice on how to keep your mouth in good health.

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We all only get one set of permanent teeth, so it’s important to take care of them for the rest of our lives. It’s especially important to be aware of conditions associated with aging that can impact oral health. Most people know that regular medical and dental check-ups are important. But most of us don’t realize that the health of our mouth is important not only for our oral health, but for our overall health as well. The mouth is a window to the rest of the body. That’s why maintaining good oral health is one of the smartest things you can do for your body.

According to a media report, around 75 percent of adults 60 and older only have a portion of their original teeth. It stands to reason that issues like severe gum disease, which is common in about 23 percent of seniors between the ages of 65 to 74, can contribute to the loss of your natural teeth. Risks for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes increase with poor oral health as well.

Gum disease, sensitive teeth, diabetes and dry mouth are just some of the conditions that stress the importance of oral health in older adults. Let’s take a look at these in a bit more detail.

GUM DISEASE