Less than 60% of seniors have all their own teeth. Although sometimes these teeth were lost due to cavities or accident, it’s likely that many of today’s seniors lost their teeth due to periodontal disease.
Periodontal, or gum, disease is a silent destroyer of ligaments and bone that anchor teeth to the jaw. Periodontal disease always begins with inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis.
Gingivitis is easy to recognize because it manifests itself in bleeding gums. Removal of food debris and plaque from teeth and the spaces between them is the best way to fight gum disease. This needs to be done daily, but it’s important to clean the teeth thoroughly at bedtime.
Good home care is a beginning to fighting gum disease, but regular dental checkups are essential as well. The steps you take to clean your mouth at home are the first line of defense, and regular visits to our office remove any residual plaque and tartar.
Fortunately, gum disease move slowly as it destroys gum tissue, so by working together, we can help avoid tooth loss. Dentures are never quite as effective for talking or eating as your natural teeth. Let’s join forces to raise the percentage of seniors who can smile with their own teeth for as long as the live.
