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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
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
Delta Dental
Healthcare
Retirement
Dentist
Command Post
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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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.
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Tammy Hunter
Hi there, we have two great plans for military retirees and you can find out more and enroll during this open season which begins on 11/8 and ends 12/13. Please visit our website here for more information https://feds.deltadentalins.com/fedvip/index.php. If you are looking for coverage now and enrolled at your VA we have our VADIP program which you can learn more about here https://feds.deltadentalins.com/vadip/index.php. Thanks! Tammy
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Suspended Profile
Thanks for the link. Good info to have.
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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?
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Tammy Hunter
If you are out of the military and enrolled at your regional VA then you are eligible to enroll in VADIP. The best way to enroll is right on our website. Many people choose the Comprehensive plan. MI is a great state for Delta Dental as many of the dentists participate as well.
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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.
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Tammy Hunter
That is great that you work for a company that helps with dental care. Thanks for sharing that story.
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