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The oral health status of mature adults has improved in recent years. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, "Tooth retention and periodontal [gum] health improved for both adults and seniors" in the past decade. But though people are keeping their natural teeth longer than ever before thanks to improvements in self-care, water fluoridation, and advances in dentistry, it is estimated that 75 percent of Americans have some form of gum disease.
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"There's widespread awareness of the importance of good oral health in children, but it is equally important for adults. Receding gum tissue is a common problem as we age, a condition that can expose the roots of teeth and make them more vulnerable to decay and infection," said Dr. Arwinder Judge, vice president of clinical support at Aspen Dental Management, Inc.
"What many people fail to recognize is that gum disease is linked with the incidence of common health issues like heart disease, diabetes and stroke," Dr. Judge added. "Older Americans Month is an excellent opportunity to remind adults and caregivers of seniors that taking good care of yourself includes maintaining your oral health."
Even for those patients who don't have their natural teeth -- nearly 50 million Americans wear dentures -- visiting your dentist is important.
The average denture-wearer gets their first set of dentures in their mid-50s. But the tissues in the mouth change over time, and bone and gum ridges shrink, which can result in ill-fitting dentures that make eating uncomfortable or downright painful. While the American Dental Association recommends that dentures be replaced every five to seven years, many people keep the same set of dentures for much longer.
Wearing poorly fitted dentures can also prevent healthy eating. Research has long indicated that people with ill-fitting dentures have poorer nutrition than those with well-fitted dentures or natural teeth due to the difficulty they have in chewing foods, especially certain fruits and vegetables.
"Unfortunately, many older adults have problems with their dentures that make chewing foods difficult, and the problem is often overlooked," added Dr. Judge.
Oral Care Advice for Mature Adults
Dr. Judge offers the following tips for maintaining good oral health:
Denture-wearers should clean their gums to avoid plaque build-up that can irritate the tissue under dentures, and thoroughly clean dentures at night to avoid bacteria growth.
About Aspen Dental
One of the largest and fastest-growing networks of denture and dental care providers in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care under the Aspen Dental brand.
Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB's Reliability Report.
The Aspen Dental network currently has more than 235 locations in 20 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental doctors recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.
Aspen Dental doctors and staff help meet the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient retail locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The offices work with all insurance plans.
For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com. To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com.
-- Visit your dentist for regular hygiene checkups. Even patients who have no natural teeth and wear full dentures should have their mouth examined annually not only for signs of gum disease or oral cancer, but also for proper denture fit. A change in the fit of dentures could indicate gum disease or underlying bone loss.
SOURCE Aspen Dental
