What should seniors do to maintain their dental health? Here are eight recommendations.

• Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste; fluoride provides protection against tooth decay at all ages. [More information on flouride.]

• Practice good oral hygiene. Careful tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can help prevent periodontal disease.

• Get professional oral health care, even if you have no natural teeth. Professional care helps to maintain the overall health of the teeth and mouth, and provides for early detection of pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions.

• Avoid tobacco. In addition to the general health risks posed by tobacco use, smokers have seven times the risk of developing periodontal disease compared to non-smokers. Tobacco used in any form -- cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless (spit) tobacco -- increases the risk for periodontal disease, oral and throat cancers, and oral fungal infection (candidiasis). Spit tobacco containing sugar also increases the risk of tooth decay.

• Limit alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for oral and throat cancers. Alcohol and tobacco used together are the primary risk factors for these cancers.

• Make sure that you or your loved one gets dental care prior to undergoing cancer chemotherapy or radiation to the head or neck. These therapies can damage or destroy oral tissues and can result in severe mucosal inflammation and ulcers, loss of salivary function, rampant decay, and destruction of bone.

• Caregivers should attend to the daily oral hygiene procedures of elders who are unable to perform these activities independently.

• Sudden changes in taste and smell should not be considered signs of aging but should be an alert to seek professional care.

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