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Visit Your Dentist Regularly and Keep Smiling |
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Wednesday, 01 February 2006 |
With a healthy smile, you’ll feel better and smile more often. Don’t forget that your teeth are aging, just as the rest of your body, so they need special care to stay strong and healthy. Your dentist is committed to helping you keep your teeth intact and healthy as long as possible.
Ignoring oral health can lead to complications that go beyond tooth decay or bad breath. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, infection, bone loss—even heart disease, strokes and cancer.
Your natural teeth can get cavities at any age. Your dentist will remove decay, fill cavities and help protect your teeth from further decay by instructing you on proper tooth cleaning techniques. Don’t wait to have your cavities treated or root canals, gum surgery and the removal of teeth may be the only treatment options.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal or gingival disease, is an infection that harms your gums and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Left untreated, gum disease can cause adult tooth loss; if it’s caught early, gum disease can be treated and reversed.
People over the age of 40 are at greater risk for oral cancer. Your dentist will screen you for the disease during your regular checkups. Fortunately, oral cancer is highly curable if diagnosed early.
If you have dentures, you still need to visit the dentist regularly. Your mouth changes in shape as you age, so your dentures need to be adjusted and replaced occasionally. Keep in mind that dentures, whether partial or full, need the same careful cleaning as your natural teeth.
A good teeth cleaning will remove most tobacco, coffee and tea stains, leaving you with a sparkling smile. You’ll feel better and look great.
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Senior Living