The importance of good oral health in older adults

Image source: cdc.gov

The body changes as people age. No matter how old a person is, their dental health plays an important role in determining their quality of life. While people of all ages need to practice good oral hygiene, older adults need to be more vigilant about their gum health as it can help determine their overall wellbeing.

Having strong, healthy, and shiny teeth become less susceptible to decay and gum diseases over time. Dr. Kami Hoss mentions that for older adults to maintain good oral health, it is integral that they pay close attention to their dental hygiene habits. This will determine the general condition of their teeth, gums, and mouth. Thanks to improved quality of life, dental health devices, more adults can keep their pearly whites healthy as they age. Although, their risk of suffering from bad oral health may increase due to medication or memory loss.

Image source: dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com

While some older adults don’t usually have a problem when it comes to fitting dentures, those who suffer from medical conditions such as xerostomia, osteoporosis, and diabetes may find it challenging as the process of getting fitted for these can be uncomfortable and may take longer to finalize.

For Dr. Kami Hoss, neglecting to practice good oral hygiene can affect a person’s self-esteem. Thus, it’s understandable that people may choose to forgo going to the dentist or investing in dental devices and products due to financial constraints. However, it’s incredibly important for one to pay attention to dental health as much as they do with other aspects of health.

Dr. Kami Hoss is the CEO and co-founder of The Super Dentists, the biggest orthodontic practice and pediatric dentistry in San Diego. He is an author, consultant, inventor, enthusiast, and speaker in business and dentistry. Head over to this page for more articles.