Seniors' Oral Health
How to Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime

It's a common myth that senior citizens are destined to lose their teeth, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). There is no reason seniors cannot keep their teeth for a lifetime, since tooth loss is simply the result of an oral disease – not the aging process. The elderly, who make up the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, are healthier and have kept more of their natural teeth than prior generations. Read on to learn how to properly care for your teeth so that they last a lifetime.

Tooth Loss
The Truth About Tooth Loss

In the United States, 20 million teeth are extracted each year.  The consequences of tooth loss can have devastating effects on overall health and self-esteem, yet fewer than 10 percent of patients seek information prior to the loss of a tooth.  Because of fear, lack of knowledge or finances, many people wait until pain sets in before seeking a solution.  By then, it is often too late. Here’s what you can do to take control and make sure your teeth are protected early on.

Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive Teeth? Check Your Toothpaste

Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity when using tartar-control toothpaste, but the good news is that when they stop using the toothpaste, the sensitivity goes away. Dentists and hygienists often recommend that patients use tartar-control toothpaste, particularly after a cleaning, to help prevent the build-up of tartar, which can lead to gum disease. Ingredients found in some whitening toothpastes can also result in tooth sensitivity, which affects approximately 40 million adults in the United States.

FAQs: Geriatric Dentistry

Due to advances in medicine and an increase in prolonged life expectancy, the number of older people will continue to increase worldwide. It is essential that all older adults practice and maintain good oral hygiene due to the high correlation between oral health and general health. Maintaining good oral health is not only vital to your systemic health—it can keep you smiling well into retirement. Brushing at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush is as important as ever. Click here for more oral health tips for seniors.