Years ago, it was assumed that as you age, you would lose
your natural teeth. But that’s not the case for today’s older adults, who are keeping
their natural teeth longer than ever before. A healthy mouth and teeth help you
look good, eat delicious and nutritious foods and speak clearly and
confidently. A healthy mouth is key for good quality of life.
Maintaining good oral health habits now is especially important, because unhealthy bacteria in the mouth not only can harm your teeth and gums, but might be associated with serious medical conditions. Research has shown infections in the mouth might be associated with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia and other health problems that are common in older adults. Good home oral health habits, brushing and flossing daily, eating nutritious foods, along with regular preventive dental visits, will go a long way toward keeping your oral health for life.
Oral health IQ quiz
Time to brush up on your oral health IQ. The American Dental Association offers the following fact-or-fiction quiz for adults:
1.
Everyone needs dentures at some time.
Fiction: Today, approximately 75 percent of people older than 65 have kept some or all of their teeth. Scientists credit this improvement to better preventive measures such as community water fluoridation and daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Advances in dental care have allowed dentists to save teeth that would have been lo st in the past. With daily brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist, you can keep your teeth for life.
2. It doesn’t matter if I get calcium from my food or from supplements — it’ s all the same.
Fiction: Calcium is especially important as we get older to prevent bone loss or osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis can happen in the jaw bone and, when it does, may lead to your teeth becoming loose or falling out.
In a recent study, people who got their calcium almost exclusively from supplements were more than twice as likely to have a heart attack compared with those who took no supplements. The recommended daily amount of calcium for mo st adults is 1,000 milligrams a day, preferably from foods including low-fat dairy such as milk, cheese and yogurt.
3. Dry mouth causes cavities.
Fact: You might wonder why you’re suddenly getting cavities when yo u haven’ t had them in years. One common cause of cavities in older adults is dry mouth, typically the result of medications. This is just one reason why it’s so important to tell your dentist about any medications you’re taking. Your dentist can make recommendations to help relieve your dry mouth symptoms and prevent cavities.
4. A manual toothbrush cleans as effectively as an electric toothbrush.
Fact: As long as you’re brushing twice a day, it doesn’t matter if you use a manual or electric toothbrush.
However, if you use a manual toothbrush and have a condition that causes limited movement in your hands or shoulders, such as arthritis, you might not be cleaning your teeth as thoroughly as necessary in hard-to-reach areas. In this case, an electric toothbrush might be a good investment in preventive care. Many electric toothbrushes have handy features, such as a two-minute timer, that help to make sure you are brushing thoroughly.
5. It’s not important to my dentist if I have a heart condition or joint replacement.
Fiction: If you have a heart condition or artificial joint, be sure to tell your dentist. That’s because there are some heart conditions with a high risk of infection from dental procedures, and an antibiotic is recommended. The same is true if you have artificial joints.
Dentists follow recommendations that have been developed by the American Heart Association and the
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Reference:
Brought to you by the 600 members of the West Michigan District Dental Society in Kent ,
Ottawa , Ionia ,
Mecosta and Montcalm counties. West Michigan District Dental Society dentists
also are members of the Michigan Dental Association.
