The research, conducted in the UK, also finds that one in five seniors wear full or partial dentures and an estimated 2.5 million people have no natural teeth.
Also read: Restoring Your Smile with Dentures
My discussions with my own senior patients as well as similar studies here in the U.S. also point to the same conclusion: Not looking after oral health when young can lead to big regrets down the road.
Seniors are at a disadvantage in caring for their mouths and teeth. From daily care to preventive maintenance – age, medications, financial constraints, and other health ailments all can have a great impact on elder oral health.
Also read: Seniors at Risk for Shrinking Jaws
A good oral health routine should start from day one when the first baby tooth erupts. Kids, teenagers, adults, and seniors should follow these three simple rules:
- Brush teeth for two
minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
- Get teeth professionally cleaned and examined at least twice a year.
Our teeth and smile are important to many aspects of our life and cannot be taken for granted.
Are you due for a dental visit?
Also read: 5 Dental Tips for Seniors
