Just a generation or two ago, it was common for a person over 65 to be missing over half or even all of their teeth, necessitating the use of partial or even full dentures.

Fast-forward to the 21st century, and that is no longer the case. American seniors are often maintaining their own teeth for a lifetime. What has changed?

Several factors have lead to improvements in senior dental health. Certainly a big factor has been an increased emphasis on maintenance and prevention. Most seniors can remember the days when the only time they went to the dentist was if they had a toothache. Regular teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments and diagnostic X-rays were deemed to be unnecessary luxuries.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was a philosophy many people followed in the old days, and the number of missing teeth a person could expect to have by the time they reached retirement was substantial.

There was often an expectation that it was inevitable to lose teeth to what some people called Pyorrhea, today called periodontal or gum disease, even if you didn’t get a lot of cavities. “Mom had dentures by the time she was 50, and so will I, so why spend money on my teeth?” was a common comment heard in dental chairs across the country.

As the saying goes, “60 is the new 50”, and baby boomers want to look good, feel good and stay that way for as long as possible. Maintaining good dental health is an essential part of that equation. Regular dental cleanings and checkups allow the dentist to discover and treat gum disease and decay before it results in the inevitable “sunshine on the roots” solution offered by extractions.

Gum disease has been linked to heart disease and diabetes, with more connections to other health problems currently under study. Dental health is being increasingly linked with our overall health, so prevention is the key.

Medications taken for other medical conditions can cause a decrease in saliva flow. That can expose your teeth to additional acids and plaque buildup. Soothing sprays like Biotene, fluoride gels and sugarless mints or gum can help keep your mouth moist and cavity free.

Keeping the originals

Older teeth may need additional treatment to keep them healthy. But today, most people can keep the majority of their existing natural teeth for a lifetime. For those already missing some or all of their teeth, options include implant supported dentures for greatly increased stability and bite confidence or even complete replacement of a denture or partial with implant supported bridges. The technology available today is simply amazing.

As Bette Davis said, “Getting old is not for sissies.” However, in his day, there wasn’t much you could do about the loss of function and quality of life issues that dental disease inflicted on older citizens. Thankfully, today things are different.

If you have questions about this, or any other dental topic, feel free to contact me at info@stuartrichdds.com. I will be periodically writing on dental topics of general interest. Stay tuned.