Baycrest Health Sciences & Baycrest Foundation Publications
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Send us your questions. What do you want to know to optimize your well-being? BrainMatters brings you the latest information on brain health and well-being. We're interested in finding out the topics that matter most to you. Send us your questions and our Baycrest experts will provide the answers in a future issue. Email us: BrainMatters@baycrest.org DENTAL HEALTH matters in older adults P roper dental care is extremely important for individuals as they get older because it plays a role in overall health and well-being. Oral health can be affected by general aging, medications and diet. Dental care can also become more challenging for people with certain chronic illnesses. Research has indicated a correlation between oral disease and other health issues, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke and respiratory illness in older adults. Evidence indicates that maintaining proper oral health can lessen the aggravation of other health problems and that it is an important part of healthy living. Here are a few tips for maintaining a healthy mouth:* 1. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride, and take the time to floss every day. 2. Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet and limit sugar intake and acidic food and drink. 3. Check often for signs of gum disease, which include red, shiny or puffy gums, bleeding or bad breath. 4. Visit a dentist regularly. For most individuals, this means twice per year. Baycrest's Alpha Omega Dental Centre for Geriatric Care serves the general population, and is also tailored to meet the needs of older adults who are physically and medically unable to access care in private practice settings. A unique feature of the dental centre at Baycrest is a specialized lift which allows patients with mobility issues to receive treatment in a wheelchair instead of having to transfer to a dental chair, making the visits much easier. Staff at the Centre understand the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene and recently began a series of sessions around the Baycrest campus to educate residents on the subject, including how to take care of dentures, dry mouth, tooth decay and other relevant areas of interest. To book an appointment at Baycrest's Alpha Omega Dental Centre, please call 416.785.2500 x2600. *Content shared from the Canadian Dental Association