A read a statistic on the Mayo Clinic website that they estimate that 95 (ninety-five) percent of people will have gum disease beyond age 65. This is a tragedy that we should work to avoid.
I was recently reading in a journal for the dental industry and the very question of whether the elderly have been forgotten in oral care or not was raised. I personally think the question is far more complicated than that.
DISEASE
You see, if Mayo is right, then you have to understand that almost everyone is on a crash course to develop gum disease. And if you weren't clear before, gum disease is a big problem. You can not only consider that you can lose teeth from gum disease. You also have to think about the many other diseases that research suggests has some type of link to periodontal disease.
You see, nothing is really definitive or conclusive about the research, but there are so many indicators popping up, that many in dental care already consider it a fact. Diseases like heart attacks, stroke, low birth weight babies, lung infections, cancers and even Alzheimer's are possibly connected to periodontal disease.
This is scary. Let us put science aside for a minute. Research is slow and requires funding. Let us instead use some common sense. What have people always done when it comes to buying a horse. From the 'old days' until today they all check a horse's mouth. This is just folk wisdom. They know that a healthy mouth reflects a healthy body. That is why they check. Don't overlook your own dental health. You have to work to not be one of the ninety five percent!
Next: Learn more about gum disease and what you can to prevent or stop it!
Gum Disease in the Elderly - Help Them and Prevent For Yourself DISEASE
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