As a senior citizen you have every right to receive an impeccable standard of professional dental healthcare. After all, your mouth and teeth are a prized possession. They have served you during years of eating, drinking and celebrating, helped you speak and sculpt the smile and personality everybody knows and loves you for. They deserve your time and attention.

According to a survey carried out by Help the Aged, more than a third of over 75’s fail to have a regular dental check-up, a disconcerting discovery given that the elderly are more at risk of developing mouth cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure as a result of poor oral hygiene.

Although most people now regularly brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, simply brushing your teeth twice a day is not enough to sustain adequate oral health. Read on to discover how to maintain the dental health care you truly deserve.

Why senior dental health is a problem

Senior dental health is an issue in Great Britain for several reasons. Firstly, more and more elderly people are now retaining their own teeth, which can lead to the development of gum diseases that can in turn lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and oral cancer. Secondly, we are more likely to develop dental problems as we get older and oral cancer mainly occurs in people over 40. Thirdly, a lack of mobility means that fewer senior citizens are attending their regular six monthly check-up with their dentist.