Everyone loves a healthy-looking smile, but now oral health has been identified as a vital part of good general health in the elderly population. Oral health can be crucial for balance and well-being in most people. However, it is also important for proper nourishment, and it promotes positive social interaction.

As we age, we experience common issues and changes with our health. Some of the typical effects of age are gum disease, tooth loss, and other oral ailments. However, with good dental health education, many seniors can prevent some of these issues and develop strategies to help deal with them.

According to The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), senior adults who do not have good dental health are putting themselves at a higher risk of developing endocarditis, pneumonia, and many other problematic health concerns. Some medications taken daily by elderly adults can cause side effects like dry mouth. Dry mouth is a leading cause of tooth decay which could lead to other medical issues. To prevent poor dental health, it is recommended that seniors should visit their dental providers regularly along with keeping their clean teeth daily. For more information on how often it is recommended to visit your dentist, please visit the Government of Bermuda’s Dental Health website.

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has extensive information on their website on how to help seniors understand the importance of oral health with additional helpful tips on this topic for caregivers. To review this information in more detail, you can visit the GSA website by clicking here or copying and pasting the following link into your browser. https://www.geron.org/programs-services/alliances-and-multi-stakeholder-collaborations/oral-health-an-essential-element-of-healthy-aging