While it is always important to take care of your teeth, as we get older, staying on top of our oral health becomes even more crucial. While we are always brushing and flossing to avoid cavities and gum disease, as we enter our senior years, careful oral hygiene can also other lead to more severe non-dental illnesses and diseases. Practicing proper oral health can help you to avoid health complications like the diseases below as you age.
Heart Disease
Improper oral health is one of the major triggers of heart disease. There has been a lot of research completed over the years that has concluded that gum disease and heart disease are closely related, and some studies have even shown that cavities and missing teeth can be a predictive sign of heart disease in the future.
Diabetes
There are many connections between gum disease and diabetes. If you don’t take care of your teeth, it could result in extreme gum disease, which can prevent the body from producing insulin, which in turn fights off the effects of diabetes. On the flip side, those with gum disease can also have high blood pressure and that can result in gum infections. This is why it is important to keep on top of the status of your gums.
Effects of Dry Mouth
As we get older, many of us start to take medications on a daily basis. You may have also noticed that taking some medications can lead to dry mouth. It is important to keep good oral hygiene because dry mouth means a lack of saliva, which is there to protect you from decay and infection.
Preventing Darkened Teeth
It is just a fact of life that the longer we live, the more we have eaten. When we get older, the effects of eating and drinking for years affect our teeth. The enamel covering your teeth thins out, which allows yellow dentin to show through, creating a darkened look in the teeth. Proper oral health throughout your life can help to quell these effects.
At Genesee Dental, we accept patients of all ages and we are thrilled to offer services that can tackle any dental need. Best of all, we will send you on your way with advice that you can use to ensure that you are practicing proper oral hygiene every day. Call us at 585-343-1113 or schedule your next appointment online today!