How to live to be 100?

That's the question many may ask.Good dental care is not a promise that you will still be alive on your 100th birthday, but it certainly can help you be healthier. It is common knowledge that you only need to floss the teeth you want to keep. But there is more to good oral hygiene and dental care than that as Afsoon Gerayli, DDS will tell you. Maintaining good health with exercise and healthy food choices are number one. Keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy is especially important.

More people are living longer and this requires special kinds of dental care. At one time patients in their 80's and 90's were looking for dentures or partial dentures. Now the trend is for more older adults to keep their natural teeth a lot longer. Afsoon Gerayli, DDS is well aware of this change in clientele. It requires her to be prepared for pediatric, cosmetic and geriatric dental care.

Older people may have greater awareness of the need for good oral hygiene. Yet, many of them do not have the manual dexterity to carry out their own dental care the way it needs to be done. Flossing is often difficult. Arthritis may reduce their ability to brush their teeth well. Sometimes an electric toothbrush is suggested by their Tarzana dentist to help with this issue.

Often centenarians with their natural teeth have silver fillings which may contain mercury. This is another health concern because mercury can increase the risk of Alzheimer's.

One way to stay healthier and prevent gum disease is to establish good oral hygiene early in your life. Gingivitis and other gum diseases may lead to heart health issues or stroke. This is because the bacteria in an unhealthy mouth can travel through the bloodstream and lead to clots in the heart or brain. So keeping your oral hygiene up even if you have full or partial dentures is very important.

Some people with dentures that do not fit well may lack proper nutrition and that can generate a host of other health issues. Do not make the mistake that if you have dentures you do not need to care for your oral hygiene.

Even if you think you are too old for the dentist, you are not. Technology and research have taught dentists many things you never knew about before. Much of this can help you keep your teeth strong and healthy, maybe even to smile at your 100th birthday. Make an appointment today to consult with Dr. Gerayli and her dental hygiene staff. See what you might learn.