If you’re over 65, it’s likely that you grew up expecting to lose many, if not most, of your teeth later in life. In fact, many older people alive today are missing teeth and must rely on full or partial dentures to help them eat and talk properly. But older age itself doesn’t cause diseases that lead to tooth loss. Other factors are involved.

• When you were younger, the quality of dental care and the understanding of dental hygiene were much poorer than they are today.
• Dental techniques were less advanced, so many dental procedures were painful, which caused people to avoid seeking treatment.
• Techniques such as orthodontia (the use of braces) to straighten crowded teeth and make them easier to clean were not wide spread two generations ago. Dentists were more likely to treat problems by extracting teeth rather than trying to preserve them.
• Most communities didn’t have fluoridated water, which is known to reduce the prevalence of dental caries, or tooth decay.

Fortunately, the situation has changed in recent decades, and thanks to improvements in dental treatment, your adult children and their children have an excellent chance of keeping all their teeth for life.

How Should You Care For Your Teeth?

Taking care of your mouth and your remaining teeth is extremely important.

• Decayed or broken teeth can cause infections in the bone, which may put your over all health at risk.
• If your teeth are causing you pain, or if they’re missing, this can affect your ability to chew food properly. This in turn can lead to problems with swallowing and indigestion. Both can cause you to lose interest in food, increasing your risk for malnutrition and serious health problems.
• Missing teeth can affect your ability to form words properly. This may make conversation difficult, which can cause you to become isolated from other people.
• Diseased and unattractive teeth can affect your self-esteem, and you may stop smiling or avoid talking to other people. If you’ve been seeing a dentist regularly until now, don’t stop. If you’ve avoided having regular dental checkups and haven’t been caring for your teeth, it’s not too late to start.
• If you don’t have a regular dentist, ask friends and family to recommend one who is accessible and affordable. The latest home health care technology helps a lot to protect your teeth. The high cost of dental care can be a problem for older people on a fixed income, but some dentists may be willing to discuss a reduced fee.
• It’s a good idea to look for a dentist who has experience in treating older clients. Call your local dental association for advice.
• You should see your dentist at least once or twice a year for a full examination, and possibly X-rays, of your teeth, gums and facial structures. You should also have your teeth professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year, or more frequently if your dentist advises it.

You are responsible for taking care of your teeth and gums in between visits to your dentist. The dental hygienist who cleans your teeth can instruct you on how to brush and floss your teeth, paying special attention to your gums.