Read These Articles For a Closer Look At the Effects of Aging On Oral Care

As you get older, you will find that your risks for oral health problems increase. Taking care of your teeth and gums is not only a matter of keeping a beautiful smile, but it is also crucial to protecting your entire body from harmful infections that start in the mouth. The information in these links can help you maintain proper oral health for a lifetime.

• If you’ve avoided the dentist all of your adult life due to anxiety, WebMD wants you to know that sedation dentistry can help you relax enough to get the care you need.
• Did you know that roughly 25 percent of American adults over age 60 have no natural teeth left in their mouths? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discusses this and other oral hygiene risks for older patients .
• The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) set a section of their site aside specifically for older adult oral health resources . Click this link to learn more about dry mouth, oral cancer, gum disease, and finding a dentist if you don’t already have one.
• Older adults on fixed incomes can have trouble paying for dental care. The American Dental Association has provided a PDF to help you organize your payment plan .
• As you already know, all older adults aren’t at the same level of functionality and independence. This article from the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) takes this into consideration when discussing the importance of geriatric dentistry as a specialty.

At Park 56 Dental in NYC , we maintain healthy smiles for people from all walks of life at our East Side Manhattan office. Call us at (212) 826-2322 to schedule an appointment or to discuss general dentistry, sedation, and cosmetic options like Invisalign.