Teeth and Quality of Life

It doesn't take rocket science or super intelligence to figure out that teeth are important to quality of life. Eating some delicious bar-b-cue or a sumptuous crisp mixed green salad requires some stable teeth.  When residents of elder care facilities are polled to rate the value of having back something they have lost since their younger years, having their teeth back invariably is at the top of the list.

Are you aware that 28% of those over 50 years old have no teeth?  Of those who still have teeth, The average number left is 19; that is 11 less than when they were in high school!  Imagine eating with 11 gaps for missing teeth.

Yet Americans continue to make life style choices that put their health at risk. Diabetes rates are skyrocketing in our youth. Diabetes, which was primarily associated with the elderly, accounts for 18% of the tooth loss problem in those over 50. Why is it that people continue to eat simple carbohydrates (sugars) even when they know it is bad for them?

Smoking, can you hear me?

One more reason. We already know that smoking is a primary causative agent in inflammatory disease in the mouth, including periodontal disease, oral cancer and tooth loss. Secondary smoke exposure for young children, what your kids get when you smoke, has now been correlated with hearing loss.

By the way, tooth loss is also correlated with hearing loss. Our teeth are an integral part of our hearing. Take good care of them and they will help your hearing for a lifetime!

If you smoke, don't.  You are handicapping your children.