Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, about 25% of adults 60 years old and older have no natural teeth--and missing teeth can impact nutrition?
A recent article in Forbes discussed the connection between oral health and overall health in your body. However, many seniors are not seeing a dentist regularly because of cost.
The Forbes article reads, "According to absolutedental.com, oral health is about much more than just the health of the mouth, teeth and gums. 'Because the mouth is a primary entryway into the body, poor oral health can have negative consequences for the entire body,' an article on the site says."
They also reference Dr. Robert Brody, the chief clinical officer for Great Expressions Dental Centers, one of the biggest networks of dental care providers in the country, who said "poor dental care in seniors not only affects their mouth and surrounding tissues, but can also increase the risk for systemic disease like diabetes and heart disease."
Because cost is such a big factor for why seniors aren't getting the oral care they need, Forbes gives several suggestions, including finding a local dental school to get dental care, or joining a dental savings plan. Also, if a person is a veteran, they should look into what benefits are available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For many, many more suggestions of more affordable and manageable ways to access oral health care, click here to read the full article.