By Dr. Eric Wolfe
If you think tooth loss is a normal part of aging, you are not alone, but you are also not quite right. As the print edition of AARP: The Magazine recently reported in its article Hold on to Your Smile by Jessica Migala, expecting to lose teeth as we get older is an outdated mindset. The truth is, keeping your teeth may be one of the best things you can do to stay healthy, independent and vibrant well into your later years. In this 3-blog series, I will share the salient points from the article and how we can help.
Tooth Loss Impacts More Than Your Smile
As Migala points out, “Losing your teeth can dramatically affect more than your smile. It ups your risk for a whole host of late-life health hazards, from heart disease to cancer to dementia.”
Behind this alarming reality is a common but often overlooked condition: periodontal disease. According to Edgard El Chaar, clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania, “We’re on the cusp of a periodontal crisis.” This disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in older adults, and it doesn’t just stay in the mouth. Studies in the International Journal of Cardiology show that those who don’t brush twice a day for at least two minutes face increased risks of heart attack, stroke and heart failure.
“Gum disease is a progressive disease,” El Chaar explains, as quoted by Migala. “It’s a silent killer.” That’s why early detection and prevention are key. Read on to find out what you can do toward both efforts.
Fewer Teeth, Higher Risk
Tooth loss remains a real concern among older adults, even with improvements in dental care. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average adult over 65 has about 20 teeth left – and one in six have lost all of them. That may seem like a cosmetic or functional inconvenience, but the health implications are far more serious.
According to Migala, Frontiers in Public Health reported that having nine or fewer teeth is associated with a higher risk of death from any cause, including heart disease and cancer. In other words, the more teeth you retain, the better your chances of living a longer, healthier life. Below, we offer solutions to help you retain your teeth.
The Connection to Dementia
The link between oral health and cognitive health is gaining more attention, and for good reason. Migala cites a meta-analysis involving more than 34,000 people, which found that those missing all their teeth were 1.4 times more likely to develop dementia than those with some or all their natural teeth. Research now suggests that maintaining oral health may be a potential strategy in preventing cognitive decline.
Gum disease is also linked to diabetes, heart and lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers. Go beyond brushing and flossing–support your whole-body health with care we outline next.
How We Can Help
When damage, infection or tooth loss has occurred, we offer advanced restorative treatments to bring back function, comfort and confidence:
- Dental Implants: A permanent solution for replacing missing teeth.
- Dentures: Full and partial dentures offer comfortable and functional solutions for patients who are missing several or all of their teeth.
- Dental Crowns and Bridges: Crowns protect weakened teeth, while bridges fill in gaps from missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent natural teeth.
- Root Canal Treatments: Designed to save natural teeth, root canals remove infection from inside the tooth and seal it to prevent further damage or extraction.
With consistent dental care and the right support from a reputable dental team like ours here at Summit Smiles Dental, it’s possible to restore your smile for optimum health for life.