A Good Time To Be A “Senior!”

May is a great month for seniors! Many high school students are getting ready for graduation, excited about prom, and looking forward to their upcoming freedom. College seniors are reminiscing about their years of hard work and getting ready to graduate and join the “real world”.

It is also a great month for senior citizens. No matter what your definition of senior citizen is – AARP membership is available to people age 50 and older – there is no question that today’s seniors are healthier and more active than ever before, and can expect to live many years past retirement.

Seniors have their own set of dental health issues that need to be addressed. Here are some common topics we discuss with our senior patients at Roselle Park Dental.

Getting to the “root” of the problem.

When gums recede, the root surface of the tooth is exposed. This area is much more porous than tooth enamel and thus more prone to cavities. Fluoride application and frequent dental visits can help control this difficult to treat problem.

Are you sensitive?

The same areas that are exposed when gums recede can be very sensitive to hot, cold, sweets, and more. A specialized toothpaste such as Sensodyne may help. Be sure to consult us if the problem persists.

It feels like the Sahara Desert in here!

As a person ages, salivary flow can decrease, and many medications also can cause dry mouth. Make sure you stay properly hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. (Sorry – not alcoholic beverages which can lead to even more dryness!) We can recommend specific products and rinses to help alleviate the discomfort.

What does that have to do with it?

Believe it or not, many health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer can affect your oral health. Please be sure to review your current medical conditions with us so that we can make any proper recommendations.

Be true to your teeth or they’ll be false to you!

In the old days it was assumed that aging meant the loss of teeth. Fortunately these days, especially with the help of regular dental visits, that simply isn’t true. But if you have lost some or all of your teeth, the options these days are better than ever. People of any age should be able to eat comfortably, speak normally, and smile attractively! 

Celebrate Spring by Staying Active and Improving Your Physical and Dental Health

After such a long, cold winter, spring is finally here and summer is right around the corner, so now is the perfect time to get outside and get active! 

Taking full advantage of the warmer weather means enjoying an almost endless array of exercise options: from bike rides to gardening, from water and team sports, to simply running around the park or in the backyard with your kids.

One of the most common excuses people have for not staying physically fit is that they don’t have enough time.  Making the time commitment now to take care of your body will mean positive long-lasting health benefits for your future. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans adults should get at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous each day, at least five days a week.

Similarly, taking quick and easy preventative measures to protect your dental health – including brushing and flossing daily and visiting your dentist regularly for routine care and checkups – will protect your smile for years to come.

Keep your Muscles and Your Enamel Strong

Limiting consumption of extra sugar is beneficial for maintaining a healthy diet and body weight, and it also protects the outer layer of your teeth. Consuming sugary food and drinks, such as soda and candy, adds empty calories to your diet. It also lowers the acidity level in your mouth, which in turn allows more bacteria to thrive and cause tooth decay.

Beware of chlorinated pools!  If the levels are not maintained correctly, the water can become too acidic and cause erosion to tooth enamel. According to the CDC, 15% of frequent swimmers showed signs of enamel corrosion compared to only 3% of people who don’t swim. But don’t let this deter you from swimming! Swimming is a fantastic combination of cardiovascular exercise and resistance training, and a great way to burn calories and build muscles at the same time. Check with your club or gym to ensure the chlorine is monitored. To avoid exposure, keep your mouth closed while swimming.

Maintaining vigorous exercise for extended amounts of time – for example going for a long jog – is an excellent way to get fit, but it can lead to dehydration, especially in warmer weather. Staying hydrated helps to prevent dry mouth, which can reduce the amount of salvia in your mouth. Salvia protects your teeth by helping to wash away food and bacteria that can cause decay and counteracts the effects of too much acid in your mouth.

Get outside and celebrate spring by staying active and improving your physical and dental health!

To learn more about how to keep your mouth and body healthy, call Roselle Park Dental today at 908-245-1745 or visit us at www.roselleparkdental.com!

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Study Shows How Many Americans Visit the Dentist Every Year

Gallup recently released findings from a new poll about how frequently Americans visit the dentist. According to the poll, which was based on data collected since 2008, on average only 64.7% of the nation’s population visited a dentist at least once in 2013.

The findings show that that geographic region, financial status, and access to health insurance correlate with whether people had visited a dentist. The poll showed that, in general, people living in the Eastern part of the country are the most likely to visit a dentist annually, while people living in the South are least likely to visit the dentist annually.  Midwesterners fall somewhere in the middle.

Connecticut nabbed the number one spot with 74.9% of residents reporting they have visited a dentist in the last year. While we didn’t quite make the top 10 list, New Jersey wasn’t far off at 70.5%.  Mississippi took last place with only 53%.

Similarly, previous Gallup research  indicates that “the likelihood of visiting the dentist annually increases with income.”  The poll’s findings show that states with lower numbers of yearly dental visits also have lower income levels and have a higher percentage of people who are uninsured. 

According to the American Dental Association,  “Some people need to visit the dentist once or twice a year; others may need more visits.  Regular dental visits will also help prevent problems from developing. Continuity of care is an important part of any health plan and dental health is no exception. Keeping your mouth healthy is an essential piece of your overall health.”

Let’s get New Jersey to the number one spot – schedule your next dental appointment today!  Call Roselle Park Dental today at 908-245-1745 or visit us at www.roselleparkdental.com.

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photo Credit: Map of United States of America            

Don't Forget to Join Us This Sunday, May 4 and Go "Beyond the Brush!"

Our FREE seminar will show you ways you can keep your mouth and body healthy in addition to brushing and flossing. Bring your friends and family! Light refreshments will be served. The seminar starts at 10:00 am and will be held at Roselle Park Dental.