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As we age, our oral hygiene behaviours need to evolve. Seniors need very special dental care, which is why having a dental insurance that is specifically tailored to the elderly is important to ensure that they do not find themselves out of savings, in order to save their teeth.

A lesser known fact is that as you reach your golden years, you are likely to lose a couple of teeth due to a handful of possible reasons. Lack of calcium, wear and tear and the likes could leave you with a few teeth short or in a considerable amount of discomfort if you do not have it attended to. Women are especially susceptible to tooth decay and tooth loss if they had had multiple pregnancies in their lifetime.

Gum Disease

An unhealthy diet, smoking and many other lifestyle choices can cause gum disease. The older we get, the more susceptible we are to different types of mouth and gums infections.
Gum disease is caused by plaque and food left in our teeth. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and can be very serious for a person’s overall health as it has been linked to many problems in the body, says A Place for Mom. The elderly need more regular check-ups. When we grow old, our body naturally deteriorates, no matter how healthy we may be in comparison to others who are the same age. Many older people also report losing sensation in their mouths, so if there is a problem, they may not notice it immediately.

Discoloration

Dentin, the bone-like tissue beneath the tooth enamel, changes because of the beverages and foods we eat throughout our lives. The thinning of the outer enamel layer causes the yellow dentin to show through so our teeth seem darker as we age. This is why proper cleanings are important as you grow older.

Dental care is expensive

Most retirees live on government pensions or a pension from their former employer. A pension is usually only a fraction of what you may have earned at the company before retirement, so having an insurance in place for emergencies is a great way to ensure that you can get immediate care for all the ailments that come with age, without having to fork out a large sum of money that you may not have.