Seniors: Importance of Oral Healthcare

Proper oral healthcare can keep you smiling well into retirement. Tooth loss is the result of a preventative oral disease and not the aging process. Taking care of your teeth can help them last a lifetime.

Importance of oral healthcare for seniors.

As you get older, you dental needs become more and more particular. Making regular trips to the dentist are even more vital. The most common problem to watch for is gum disease.

Advanced gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an infection of the gum tissue that supports the teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Many adults do not realize the importance of taking care of their gums as well as their teeth.

Early stage gum disease also known as gingivitis. It can easily be prevented with proper oral hygiene. The most common symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums and bleeding when you brush.  See a dentist for treatment if you have any of these symptoms. Gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, a severe gum disease if left untreated.

Periodontitis is a severe stage of gum disease that causes your gums and bone supporting the teeth to break down. Gums begin to recede from the teeth and the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed, which in turn causes tooth loss.

Proper oral hygiene is not only essential for your teeth and gums, but your overall health. Research shows poor oral healthcare is linked to health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. The best way to achieve good oral health is to prevent disease through daily brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist regularly.