Keep your smile strong

Tammy Hunter — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:57:07 -0400

Staying on top of your oral health isn’t always easy. Life comes at you fast, and sometimes you forget to make appointments to see the dentist. But good oral health means more than a bright and shiny smile. Good oral health is good for your whole body, and your dentist can be a trusted partner in your mission to keep both your body and mind strong. This is especially true as you get older. Let’s take a look at dental care from an older adult’s perspective.

Aging increases dental risks, so older adults are more likely to have oral health issues, and overall health issues, than younger people. Teeth aren’t meant to last forever, unfortunately. Luckily, the steps that help you can take to keep your smile healthy and strong in your 20s work just as well in your 60s.

• Go to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. You can work with your dentist to determine how many visits are appropriate for your needs.
• Brush twice a day and floss daily.
• Drink water with fluoride and brush with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps to repair minor damage and keep your teeth strong.
• Avoid tobacco products. If you currently use any, talk to your physician and dentist about quitting.
• Limit the number of alcoholic and sugary drinks you consume.
There are extra steps to maintaining oral health that older adults should perform as well. These tips apply at any age, but they’re especially important for seniors.
• Watch for changes in your mouth. Schedule an appointment with a dentist or a doctor if you notice symptoms like sores, dry mouth or pain that lasts for more than two weeks.
• If you have diabetes, keep it controlled. In addition to helping to decrease the risk of gum disease, managing diabetes is great for your overall health.
• Ask your doctor about trying different medications if you’re on any that cause dry mouth. If you can’t switch medications, make sure to drink plenty of water and try chewing sugarless gum.

Oral health problems can be more challenging the older you get, but you don’t have to face them alone. With a little effort on your part and a little help from your dentist, you can take charge of your health, adapt to any obstacles and overcome them. Visit our Federal programs page to see the dental coverage options available for Veterans and military retirees: https://rly.pt/3nRR3eK

Federal Government Programs

We’re proud to administer these federal dental programs: Federal Employees, Veterans Affairs, TriWest, Office of the Comptroller, U.S. Public Health Service Active Duty Dental Program.

Response by PFC David Foster made Sep 20 at 2021 12:13 PM

PFC David Foster — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:13:29 -0400

I need an appointment.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 20 at 2021 2:18 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 14:18:50 -0400

Excellent share Ms Tammy Hunter

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 20 at 2021 2:48 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 14:48:18 -0400

Great tips Tammy Hunter! It looks like under VADIP, using a network dentist, you get 100% coverage of your annual exams, x-ray and cleanings. What’s the best way for a veteran to find out if they are eligible?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 20 at 2021 2:55 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 14:55:44 -0400

Tammy Hunter My teeth don't hurt. I don't need to visit a Dentist. Fortunately.

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Sep 20 at 2021 4:11 PM

TSgt George Rodriguez — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 16:11:58 -0400

At the end of my service career at the age of 46 and having my teeth taken care of by the military I began to lose my fillings and the teeth breaking off at the gum line. As I was working for a company that set up a program to help with dental care supplying 50% of the cost for me and my wife. Each paycheck we put money into the program and when the time came for us to have our teeth replaced with dentures both uppers and lowers we were able to afford our share.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Sep 23 at 2021 7:20 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 19:20:06 -0400

Do your best. But that darn DNA can haunt you.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Sep 23 at 2021 8:59 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 20:59:53 -0400

Thank you for the information!

Response by Errkaver Kaver made Sep 24 at 2021 4:09 AM

Errkaver Kaver — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:09:01 -0400

A wide, sincere smile is very necessary in our everyday everyday life. It is always much easier to interact with friendly people who smile genuinely. We get the feeling that they are open to communication and friendly towards us. This applies not only to informal friendly communication, but also to communication with colleagues at work, salespeople in the store, and simply with strangers to us, whom we encounter every day. The snow-white smile that can be achieved by starting to use the free zoom Philips https://bleach-infiniter.com/free-zoom-dental/ is a symbol of success and a happy life.

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Response by SSgt Ray Stone made Oct 2 at 2021 1:54 PM

SSgt Ray Stone — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 13:54:09 -0400

Poor oral care can lead to heart attacks, strokes and various health issues

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2021 1:53 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 13:53:11 -0400

If they still hurt while in the cleaning cup, you might have issues.

Response by PFC Donald Bailey made Nov 10 at 2021 6:37 AM

PFC Donald Bailey — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 06:37:04 -0500

Need to see dentist at V.a.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Nov 10 at 2021 7:47 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 07:47:46 -0500

I do see the Dentist on a regular basis and in my Lifetime have had four cavities, the last one when i was 14 years old, I'm now 74. I do have an appointment with our family Doctor a minimum of every six moths with one of those being an annual physical. The last 40 years My weight has stayed in the 190 to 195 area and I'm 6'2" I do have a few aches and pains I didn't have before though, just enough to be annoying at times but not disabling.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2021 6:48 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:48:46 -0500

My teeth are shot. I desperately need implants.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Nov 20 at 2021 10:26 AM

1LT Voyle Smith — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 10:26:39 -0500

Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it a gazillion times. I just don’t like dentists. Never have, never will. They cause pain and suffering and seem to delight in it. Years ago, I punched one in the jaw with a right cross because the SOB didn’t believe me when I told him his work hurt like hell. At least his hygienist was pretty and comforted me on his couch when his office closed for the day. I stayed an extra four hours to make sure she was right when she said he was a good dentist.

Response by SCPO Jeffrey Conz made Nov 26 at 2021 12:44 AM

SCPO Jeffrey Conz — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 00:44:29 -0500

Bullets, I’ve asked many times for a check up and have always been denied.

Response by CPO Nate S. made Jan 20 at 2022 12:26 PM

CPO Nate S. — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 12:26:15 -0500

Every 6 months. Oral health is critical!!!