Your Health | Self-Management | Wellness Products and Discounts

Your mouth goes through many changes as you age. We want to share with you some useful information so you can make better-informed decisions about your dental health.

Gum (Periodontal) Disease: Know the signs
Many adults experience some form of gum disease. Poor oral hygiene and improper fitting of dentures or bridges can increase the severity of gum disease.
Some signs to look for:

• gums that are red, swollen, tender, bleed easily or have pus between them and the teeth
• changes in the fit of partial dentures
• any change in the way your teeth fit together
• gums that have receded from the teeth and/or teeth that are loose

Plaque is a sticky film of germs that builds and hardens under the gums, causing the gums to become inflamed. This may lead to loss of the bone around the tooth and may require surgical treatment of the gums or removal of teeth.

Dry Mouth: A common problem
Dry mouth can be caused by some illnesses and medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers and diuretics. If left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth because there isn't adequate saliva to wash away food and neutralize the acids produced by plaque. Your dentist can recommend several methods to restore moisture, such as artificial saliva and oral rinses. Sugar-free candy or gum also stimulates saliva flow.

Cavities: Not just for kids
Cavities are not just a child's problem. Changes that occur with aging make cavities an adult problem as well. Gums that have receded from the teeth can expose tooth roots to plaque making the roots susceptible to decay and sensitive to hot and cold.

Tooth Loss: There are options
If you lose teeth, they may be replaced to help both function and appearance. Missing teeth can be replaced by fixed bridges, full and partial dentures or implants. Talk to your dentist to see what options are right for you.

Detection of Oral Cancer: Self-exams can help
Regular dental checkups are important in the early detection of oral cancer and precancerous conditions. Take an active role in the early detection of oral cancer by doing self-exams. Check with your dentist to learn how.

Pancreatic cancer: Associated with poor oral health
Research shows that people with gum disease are at a 64% higher risk for pancreatic cancer, compared to those with healthy mouths. The reason for this association is unclear. However, it appears that a chronic gum infection may trigger inflammation throughout the body, which can fuel the growth of cancer.

To assess your own personal risk for gum disease, please visit American Academy of Periodontology.

Home Care: What you can do

• Allow about three minutes of brushing to clean all your teeth. Brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush.
• Floss once a day or as recommended by your dentist. Flossing cleans away plaque and bits of food from between your teeth and below the gum line. It gets to places your brush can't reach.
• Ask your dentist if you would benefit from a fluoride rinse to help prevent decay.
• If you wear full or partial dentures, clean your dentures daily. Be sure to remove stains and plaque that may build up and irritate your gums. Take your dentures out when you sleep to help your gum tissue stay healthy.

Questions to ask your dentist

• Do I have gum disease?
• How is my home care?
• How often should I have an oral cancer screening?