Maintaining Your Oral Health is a Great Way to stay Healthy as you Age
Oral health isn’t just about your mouth. It can be a window into your body’s overall health and well-being. Caring for your teeth, gums and mouth can help you age better, live longer and feel more confident.
Let’s look at these 5 issues and how they impact oral health and aging.
1) Your teeth and gums reflect overall health. As we age, we are more at risk to chronic conditions of heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. The inflammation of our gums(periodontitis) caused by bacteria contributes to inflammation of multiple areas throughout your body and is associated with heart disease and diabetes. Bone health is not just about your skeleton, but also for not only your teeth and jaw. Your bones are the framework, keeping us strong and moving. Loss of calcium, and other minerals may weaken your enamel, jawbone and teeth which may contribute to tooth loss.
2) Chronic gum disease causes ongoing inflammation which may accelerate aging in other areas of the body and is known to be component of cognitive decline, joint issues and cardiovascular disease.
3) Nutrition and digestion are impacted when your mouth is sensitive or you have lost teeth, losing the ability to chew and enjoy foods. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for ingestion of a fiber-rich, balanced diet including all food groups that contain a mix of vitamins and nutrients.
4) Maintaining a healthy smile helps with confidence at any age. It gives you more vitality, making your feel more youthful. Missing teeth, discoloration of teeth or gum recession often contribute to a lack of social confidence which may cause an elderly person to withdraw. Smiling and laughter are perfect, positive medicines!
5) As we age, our mouths are impacted by daily medications or perhaps we are suffering from side effects of medical treatments such as radiation therapy which change our body chemistry and cause dry mouth. Our mouth is best when our salivary glands keep our mouth wet. Dry mouth may contribute to bad breath, cavities and oral infections. Talk to your healthcare professional if you are experiencing symptoms of a dry mouth.
Aging is not for the faint of heart, but being aware of good-eating habits and good dental hygiene habits may give a chance of finding the “fountain of youth.” A healthy mouth is closely connected to the aging process. Brush, floss, eat-well and visit your Dental professional to feel younger with a beautiful smile. Call Plainsboro Dental Care today for all your dental needs: 609-799-4422.