Aspen Dental Practices Offer Advice About Importance of Regular Oral Care for Older Adults

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May 16, 2011, 10:00 ET

SYRACUSE, N.Y., May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspen Dental, one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., is reminding individuals about the importance of regular dental visits for good overall health in recognition of Older Americans Month (May).

"The importance of establishing good oral health habits in children has long been recognized, but it is equally important for older adults," said Dr. Arwinder Judge, vice president of clinical support at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. "For example, receding gum tissue, a condition that can expose the roots of teeth and make them more vulnerable to decay and infection, is a common problem associated with aging. That means that regular oral health care becomes even more critical."

Dr. Judge added, "Dentists can also detect problems that go far beyond the mouth, including early signals of heart disease, diabetes and vitamin deficiencies. Think of the dentist as an essential part of your larger health care team."

General Oral Health Advice for Older Adults

-	*Visit your dentist for regular hygiene checkups.* The dentist doesn't just look at your teeth, but at your whole mouth. That means that even patients who have no natural teeth and wear full dentures should have their mouth examined not only for signs of gum disease or oral cancer, but also for proper denture fit. A change in the fit of dentures could indicate gum disease or underlying bone loss.

-	*Remember that cavities don't just happen in kids.* Among the 95 percent of older adults who still have teeth, more than nine out of 10 have cavities. This includes about one-fourth who haven't received treatment for their decay.

-	*Tell your dentist about any medical conditions, recent operations, allergies, and medications you may be taking, or changes to your medications.* This will avoid any potential adverse interactions with the medications that your dentist may prescribe. Plus, more than 400 commonly used medications for common conditions like high blood pressure and depression can be the cause of dry mouth. A reduction of the flow of saliva increases the risk for oral disease.

Oral Care Advice for Denture-Wearers

-	*Think about how your dentures fit.* The tissues in the mouth change over time, and bone and gum ridges shrink. This can result in ill-fitting dentures that make eating uncomfortable or downright painful.

	Nearly 50 million Americans wear dentures; the average denture-wearer gets his or her first set of dentures in their mid-50s. But while the American Dental Association recommends that dentures be replaced every five to seven years, many people keep the same set of dentures for much longer. So talk to your dentist about denture fit.

-	*Use the correct amount of denture cream.* If you experience discomfort or if you are using more than one tube of denture cream every three weeks, your dentures may not fit properly and should be evaluated. Your dentist can tell you if they need to be adjusted or replaced.

-	*Consider your diet and nutrition.* Wearing poorly fitted dentures can not only cause sores or pain in the mouth -- it can also prevent healthy eating. Research indicates that people with ill-fitting dentures have poorer nutrition than those with well-fitted dentures or natural teeth due to the difficulty they have in chewing foods, especially certain fruits and vegetables.

To learn more about special offers and discounts at Aspen Dental, visit www.aspendental.com/appointment.dental.offers.php.

About Aspen Dental

With nearly 300 practices in 22 states, Aspen Dental is one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S. Dentists and staff at Aspen Dental are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care. All Aspen Dental locations are accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which signals a commitment to meeting certain standards of service and making a good faith effort to resolve consumer complaints.

In 2010, Aspen Dental practices recorded nearly 1.9 million patient visits, including visits from more than 422,000 new patients. Patients can learn what to expect during their first visit at www.aspendental.com/appointment.first.visit.html.

For more information about Aspen Dental or to make an appointment, visit www.aspendental.com or call 800-ASPEN DENTAL (800-277-3633). To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, visit www.aspendentaljobs.com.

SOURCE Aspen Dental