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MASTERS FAMILY DENTISTRY - 37546 Gratiot Ave., Clinton Township, MI 48036

Dental Care for Clinton Township Seniors

added on: December 11, 2013
Masters Family Dentistry in Clinton Township

Caring for your teeth and gums becomes even more important as you get older. In fact, more than half of American adults are affected by some sort of gum disease! The good news is that with proper home care, cleanings and periodontal treatments, along with regular check ups, seniors are improving their oral health and, as a result, protecting their overall health as well.

How Oral Health Affects Overall Health

You take good care of your teeth, but are your gums staying healthy too? Without proper professional care, bacteria can build up under your gumline, leading to inflammation and infection.  This can lead to tooth loss if untreated, especially in patients with osteoporosis. Worse, it can lead to severe gingivitis, a condition that has been linked to everything from worsening diabetes, to heart attacks and strokes, difficulty with joint replacement therapy, and even to certain cancers. Clearly, if you want to stay healthy long into old age, it is important to keep your gums healthy too!

Tips For Keeping Your Teeth Healthy as You Age

There are many ways to maintain your healthy teeth:

  • Brush and floss daily.

  • If arthritis makes brushing and flossing difficult, our Clinton Township dental office can recommend a good electric or ultrasonic toothbrush and oral irrigator to make home care easier.

  • Ask us about dry mouth or Xerostomia at the very first symptoms.

  • Live a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet.

  • Avoid starchy foods such as:

    • crackers
    • breads
    • cookies
    • candy
  • Avoid sticky or slow to dissolve foods such as:

    • granola bars
    • chewy fruit snacks
    • dried fruit
    • potato chips
    • hard candy

 

Most importantly, remember to see Masters Family Dentistry at our Clinton Township dental office for a cleaning and checkup every 6 months.