Oral Health and the Elderly

---

Did You Know:

-14.7% of Missouri's population is age 65 and older.

-The elderly with low socioeconomic status are 3 times more likely to have tooth decay and loss than those of higher socioeconomic status.

-Only 58.7% of Missouri's elderly have visited a dentist in the past year.

-80.6% of Missouri's elderly have lost at least one permanent tooth.

-24.9% of Missouri's elderly have lost all of their permanent teeth.

*(All statistics are from the 2014 Oral Health Report by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services)

---

By the time you finish reading this blog, we hope you will be able to make informed decisions about your personal oral health and know how to maintain a healthy mouth. This goal is needed because elderly Missouri residents greatly suffer from a negligence of oral health care.

Proper oral health care habits, such as brushing, flossing, and visiting a dentist regularly allow individuals to have health teeth and gums, maintain chewing ability, reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, and so much more. Without these preventative measures, the elderly are prone to tooth decay and loss, gum disease, an inability to eat, high cost of dental treatment, an increased risk of infection, diabetes, dry mouth, and heart disease.

Actions for a Healthy Mouth:

-Brush teeth at least twice a day.

-Floss at least once a day.

-Eat a healthy, low acid and sugar diet.

-Drink plenty of fluoridated water.

-Visit the dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups.

                                        

Seniors age 65 and older are at a higher risk for oral health problems and often face barriers preventing them from receiving proper care. Some of these barriers include: inability to drive, living in an assisted living home, lack of insurance or money, other health issues, and availability of dentists. To help overcome these barriers, a focus has been placed on oral health awareness and preventative medicine.

Preventative oral health care is the key to achieving the Healthy People 2020 objective to reduce the number of elderly who have lost all of their permanent teeth. There are many resources, such as Colgate, which demonstrate the proper techniques for brushing and flossing your teeth. The supplies you need for maintaining oral health, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, are widely available for a low cost at a majority of stores.

For more information, visit the Oral Health Alliance website, which has a variety of dental information and resources.

Oral Health in Missouri 2014. (2014). Retrieved September 9, 2015, from http://health.mo.gov/living/families/oralhealth/pdf/2014OralHealthReport.pdf