• Twenty-three percent of 65-74 year-olds have severe periodontal disease.
• About 30% of adults 65 years and older are edentulous.
• Oral and pharyngeal cancers are diagnosed in about 30,000 Americans annually; 8,000 die from these diseases each year.
• Older Americans take both prescription and over-the-counter drugs and at least one of the medications used will have an oral side effect - usually dry mouth.
  
• At any given time, 5 percent (5%) of Americans aged 65 and older are living in a long-term care facility where dental care is problematic.
  
• Many elderly individuals lose their dental insurance when they retire.

1. Drink fluoridated water.
Fluoride in drinking water makes everyone's teeth stronger. Check to see if your community fluoridates its water. If it does not, consider advocating for water fluoridation in your area.

2. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride toothpaste is another good source of fluoride. When brushing, use a soft toothbrush, brush for a minimum of two minutes, and remember to brush the tongue.

3. Use floss or toothpicks to clean between teeth.
Floss and toothpicks clean where brushes miss. When flossing, use a floss holder or your thumb and forefinger to control the floss. Ease the floss between the teeth and carefully rub the side of each tooth.

4. Have regular dental checkups, even if you have dentures.
Treat problems when they are small. Don't wait until they become painful. For people with dentures, dentists can check for denture fit. Dentists also screen everyone for oral cancer.

5. Limit the frequency of starchy snacks and sugared candy or cough drops.
Bacteria in the mouth make acid from sweet and starchy foods. This acid lasts for 20 minutes each time we eat, and it damages the teeth. If we are always sipping soda, nibbling crackers or sucking on sugared candy or cough drops, our teeth are under constant attack. This often results in tooth decay.

6. Control diabetes.
Diabetics who do not control their blood sugar often have gum problems. Many people with diabetes do not know they have it. Talk with your doctor about your risk for diabetes, and have your blood sugar checked.

7. Avoid tobacco.
Tobacco users, whether they smoke or use smokeless tobacco, are more likely to have gum disease and oral cancer. Avoiding tobacco will improve your oral health and could save your life.

8. Check your mouth regularly for lumps, bumps or sores.
Cancer can appear anywhere in the mouth and is often painless, so may be overlooked. If you notice a lump, bump or sore in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks, see your dentist or physician.

9. Understand the dangers of dry mouth.
Dry mouth is a serious condition. Just as tears wash your eyes, saliva washes and protects your mouth. NEVER use sugared candy or cough drops to help with dry mouth, as these cause tooth decay. Sugar-free gum, sugar-free candy, and sugar-free cough drops are best for this.

10. Ask your dentist or doctor about fluoride varnish.
Fluoride applied directly to the teeth adds extra protection against decay. This is very helpful for people with dry mouth and those receiving cancer treatments.
And remember to share your oral health knowledge with others!


Oral Health in Washington State Adults & Seniors

More than 38 percent (38%) of all adults in the state have had teeth removed due to tooth decay or gum disease.

Nearly one-third of seniors - estimated to be 218,000 people in Washington - have untreated dental cavities.

In Washington, twenty percent (20%) of seniors have lost all of their teeth.

More than 75 percent (75%) of Washington seniors do not have dental coverage.

More than 164 million hours of work are lost nationwide each year due to dental disease or dental visits.

Twenty-five percent of adults 65 to 74 nationwide have severe periodontal disease, which has been linked to other serious health problems including diabetes, heart disease and strokes.


SENIORS ORAL HEALTH MESSAGES

Prevention is the first step to a healthy mouth.

Seniors, their families, as well as caregivers, must understand the importance of oral health.

The mouth is a mirror to the body's general health. Many systemic diseases and conditions have oral manifestations.

Many seniors take medication, which may dry out the mouth allowing plaque and bacteria to build-up. Sometimes individuals will suck on candy to produce more saliva: candy=sugar=acid attack on teeth=cavities and gum disease.

There is an association between periodontal (gum) disease and other diseases. There is potential for oral micro-organisms to enter the blood stream and interfere with blood flow. Many bacteria thrive on sugars including glucose, the sugar linked to diabetes. When diabetes is poorly controlled, high glucose levels in mouth fluids increase the growth of germs and set the stage for gum disease. Treatment of diabetes will slow down the progression of gum disease and diabetes is more easily controlled if periodontal disease is treated.

Smokers are 5 times more likely than non-smokers to have gum disease.