Oral health is an important part of a person’s overall health and well-being. Not only does maintaining good oral health help you maintain a bright, healthy smile as you get older, but studies have shown direct correlations between poor oral health and serious conditions like tooth loss, diabetes, and heart disease.

Throughout your life, it’s important to see a dentist regularly and maintain a thorough and consistent home-based oral hygiene routine that includes flossing and brushing your teeth twice each day.

However, as a person ages, the risk of developing gum disease and plaque buildup that causes cavities increases. Elderly people take more medications, many of which impact the saliva production in the mouth which is important for rinsing food particles and bacteria from the teeth.

To add to that, nerve sensitivity and bone density both decrease with age, making it more likely to develop cavities and other issues, and less likely that you’ll notice them right away.

This makes it even more important to maintain that home-based routine and visit your family dentist in Whitby regularly. These regular visits can help the team of experts at Birch Dental examine your mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue and identify any small, easily treatable problems before they develop into more serious conditions that require more invasive treatments.

If you are a senior who is overdue for a dental checkup, call our team to schedule an appointment today.