Senior citizens need to continue to care for their oral health By Loretta Kaes According to a recent survey by the American Dental Hygienists' Association, 90 percent of adult Americans have, on average, 23.5 teeth.Almost one-third of adults have all 28 teeth, and 50 percent of those ages 55 and older wear partial or complete dentures. These numbers aren't bad, but there clearly is room for improvement. Whether you are caring for original teeth or dentures, these days seniors face a range of special oral concerns, including root decay and periodontal disease. Obviously, the best way to ensure a healthy smile is to follow a rigorous program of personal oral hygiene (including brushing and flossing), visit your dentist regularly and have your teeth cleaned by a registered dental hygienist. Among other benefits, daily brushing and flossing protect older smiles from two common,age-related problems: root decay, a condition that affects older adults if a great amount of root surfaces are exposed, and tooth decay caused by the weakening or chipping of older fillings. But there are things you can do to improve your oral health. Beyond maintenance Our bodies are complex machines. The foods we eat and how often we eat not only affects our general health, but has an impact on our gums and teeth as well. Many dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming record numbers of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their teeth. These items generally have very low nutritional value and over time they can wreak havoc on oral heath. Foods containing sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. Unfortunately, almost all foods, including milk and vegetables, contain some type of sugars, but not all of these foods should be removed from our diets because many contain important nutrients. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, candies, cookies and pastries. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection, which could contribute to gum disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and is more severe in people with nutrient poor diets. So what can we do to promote oral heath while maintaining a healthy diet? Many health professionals suggest that drinking lots of water, especially after meals to wash away mouth acids and plaque, is beneficial. Try to limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you do snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar. A study released in the Journal of Periodontology found that people who consume less than the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C have higher rates of periodontal disease. The study found that patients who consumed less than the recommended 60 mg per day (about one orange) were at nearly one-and-a-half times the risk of developing severe gingivitis as were those who consumed three times the recommended daily allowance (more than 180 mg). Gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, causes gums to become red and swollen, and to bleed easily. If you remember your history, you may recall that English sailors became known as "limeys"because they were issued limes and lime juice to eat to help kill bacteria and prevent scurvy. One of the symptoms of scurvy is gum deterioration and tooth loss. Other foods that help kill oral bacteria are kiwis, cranberries, strawberries and green tea. Getting adequate amounts of calcium is another way to promote oral health. Calcium helps reinforce tooth enamel by deflecting natural mouth acids that cause decay and maintains healthy bone to anchor teeth.Good sources of calcium are found in milk, yogurt and cheese, or you may want to ask your doctor about adding an over-the-counter calcium supplement to your diet as well as vitamin D,which helps the body use the calcium.Also,many drinks and foods today are reinforced with calcium, such as some orange juices, for example. There are foods that help keep your smile bright by preventing stains. As we all know, fresh vegetables are good for our general health in many ways, but did you know that cauliflower, spinach, lettuce and broccoli all contain minerals that form a protective film on teeth? Chewing raw vegetables also stimulates the flow of saliva,which helps neutralize acids while providing the vitamins and minerals so essential to a good diet. Even the simple action of eating crunchy foods such as carrots, nuts and seeds helps reduce plaque. Maintaining a strict schedule of oral hygiene is important, but remember,we are what we eat. If we eat healthy foods, low in added sugar and high in balanced mix of vitamins and minerals, we will not only have glowing smiles but also have much more to smile about. Loretta Kaes, a registered nurse with certification in gerontology, is vice president, health services at Chelsea Senior Living LLC.Chelsea is based in Fanwood, and operates senior living communities in East Brunswick, Manalapan, Tinton Falls and eight other locations. For more information, call (908) 889-4200, or visit the Web site at www.chelseaseniorliving..com