Oral health matters

April is National Oral Health Month. Good oral health contributes positively to your health and well-being, yet the quality of oral health among seniors indicates we need to ‘brush up’ on mouth care. Furthermore, evidence shows there is a need to increase awareness about older adults needing access to regular and high quality oral care, particularly in long-term care homes. Poor oral care has been linked to health problems including type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and pulmonary infections including pneumonia. Oral health risk factors associated with aging include a change in diet (which can include more soft and sticky foods), medication-related side effects (which can include dental decay), and a reduction in dexterity and independence (which can affect the quality of brushing and flossing). Adopting healthy oral health habits, like reducing your consumption of sugary foods and sweetened beverages, daily brushing and flossing of your teeth, and regular dental check-ups can go a long way in maintaining good oral health well into your senior years.