
Healthy aging includes good oral health
The number of older adults retaining their original teeth has increased steadily since the 1970s, and that trend is likely to continue with broader access to fluoridated tap water, advances in dentistry and a greater understanding of the role oral health plays in influencing overall health and wellbeing. That is why ensuring seniors get routine and preventive oral health care is more important than ever.
Older adults are more likely to take prescription and over-the-counter medications that can cause dry mouth and experience chronic ailments like diabetes that can affect gum health and worsen oral health. Unfortunately, this also comes at a time when adults ages 65 and older lose coverage through workplace insurance plans once they retire. Medicare does not include routine dental care, forcing many older adults to pay out of pocket for vital care or forego care altogether.
Oral Health Watch supports efforts to expand dental care access for senior citizens and raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining good oral health in retirement. Programs that promote collaboration among health care professionals like dentists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, home care providers and nursing home aides can help address oral health concerns before they become more serious or impact overall health. Providing older adults access to essential dental care improves overall health and quality of life.
Click here to tell legislators that you support dental care coverage for seniors.
To find a dentist, click here.
Oral Health Watch
2h
The SmileMobile is on Whidbey Island this week and next. Thank you Arcora Foundation, Seattle Children's and Delta Dental of Washington for making the SmileMobile possible. #teethmatter
The SmileMobile is in Langley through April 14 this week and April 21 to 23 next week. Low income and uninsured people are invited to phone...
thisiswhidbey.comOral Health Watch
3h
👇#teethmatter
Apple Health (Medicaid) continues to cover dental care for both children and adults. For those who need care, DentistLink can connect them at no cost to a local dentist who accepts their insurance: https://dentistlink.org/
Oral Health Watch
22h
Pediatricians see kids as many as 9 times by the time they reach age 2 for well child visits. Integrating oral health into well child visits and other routine checkups helps identify problems early while underscoring that oral health is integral to overall health. #teethmatter
Oral Health Watch
22h
Pediatricians see a kid as much as 9 times by the time they're 2yo for well child visits. Integrating oral health into well child visits and other helps identify problems early while underscoring that oral health is integral to overall health. #teethmatter
It's Interprofessional Healthcare Month! Medical-dental integration improves access and "puts the mouth back in the body." MouthMatters trains pediatricians to integrate oral health services into well-child visits.
Learn more and contact us! 👇
https://arcorafoundation.org/preventing-dental-disease-in-pediatric-primary-care/
Oral Health Watch
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👇👏#teethmatter
We can't celebrate National Public Health Week without mentioning one of the top public health achievements! Community water fluoridation is a cost-effective, equitable way to prevent oral disease for all: https://washingtonwaterfluoridation.org/ #NPHW
Oral Health Watch
5d
Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Understanding how social determinants impact health can help us all identify and address health disparities and to promote overall health equity. #teethmatter #NPHW