San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Retirement is a milestone many people view as an enjoyable time to pursue personal interests or relax after working for many years. However, your retirement plans are prone to interruption if you struggle with health issues. Since your oral health directly impacts your overall health and well-being, it’s crucial to maintain your teeth and gums to prevent common oral complications, even after retiring. Our San Francisco family dentists at Glen Park Dental share on the blog today why oral care during your retirement should be a priority.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a condition that can affect several age groups for various reasons. However, as you age, your mouth naturally becomes more dehydrated. As a result, your dry mouth can become uncomfortable and bothersome when adding certain medications to the equation. Our dentists in Oakland explain that saliva plays a natural role in your oral health when it rinses food particles and bacteria from your mouth. With reduced saliva flow, you may experience an increased risk for gum disease, cavities, or tooth infections as bacteria thrive in dry oral conditions. Boosting saliva production is easy with lifestyle changes such as chewing sugar-free gum and drinking lots of water. If your dry mouth is excessive and related to medication, consult with your primary care physician about possibly changing your prescription to one that does not have dry mouth as a side effect.
Oral Cancer
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer claims one American life on average each hour of every day. Unfortunately, oral cancer mortality is more likely if not caught early. Our Marin dentists recommend protecting yourself by getting an oral cancer screening during your next office visit. We can discover oral cancer earlier and help you seek potentially life-saving treatments.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most chronic widespread diseases rampant among adults in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that two out of three adults over 65 have gum disease. Gum disease is a bacterial infection that may lead to tooth or bone loss and increase chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Our gum disease dentists in San Francisco advise patients that prevention is the best defense against gum disease. Therefore, refrain from tobacco use, maintain a healthy diet, establish a daily oral hygiene regimen, and visit our dental office in San Francisco once every six months for checkups and cleanings.
Preventive Dental Care in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Retirement should be your time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the time you have left. However, poor oral health can quickly interrupt your plans if left unmonitored. Therefore, ensure you establish a daily regimen of brushing twice daily, flossing every day, and visiting our San Francisco dental office at Glen Park Dental for regular checkups and cleanings. If you are a senior in need of a dental cleaning, please contact our friendly staff at (415) 585-1500 or request a consultation online. We look forward to helping protect your oral health throughout your golden years!
