ORAL HEALTH FOR OLDER ADULTS—PART I
Older adults are at an especially high risk for mouth and tooth infections and the complications that can come with these problems. Losing teeth, which is mainly caused by infection, not only leads to changes in appearance but may also make it harder to chew certain foods. That can make it harder to receive the nourishment needed to thrive.
Poor oral health is more common with increasing age and there is a connection between increasing age and the incidence of tooth decay. In fact, dental cavities occur in older adults nearly twice as often as they do in younger adults.
The prevalence of gum disease also increases as we age. As many as 64 percent of older adults in the United States have moderate or severe gum disease, compared with less than 38 percent for younger people. Both cavities and gum disease contribute to tooth loss.
If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,