Seniors often become separated from their dentist through the senior moving away, their dentist ceasing to practice and their own perception of no need for professional dental care. With many of today's seniors having all or most of their own teeth regular dental care is an important part of health promotion and disease prevention. Teeth can still get cavities, often around the necks of the crown, where the crown and root meet, where the gums are. This area can become sensitive as we get older and seniors may brush this less regularly since it is uncomfortable. There are ways to desensitize the areas. Call your dentist and discuss this. If these areas are allowed to retain plaque, a sticky white substance, decay can occur around the neck of the tooth. This can be aggravated by a dry mouth, by medications and by loss of ability to clean as well as before due too loss of manual dexterity and loss of flexibility. If treated early, this form of cavities call root caries can be successfully treated and further cavities prevented.

For seniors with partial dentures root caries can occur where the clasps (wires) on the denture clasp the tooth to stabilize the denture. These are important areas to keep especially clean.

For seniors with dentures, remember dentures unlike our natural teeth are not for a lifetime. They need to be checked regularly to make sure they fit well, are not rubbing the gums or dislodging while speaking, smiling, eating and talking. If this happens, you should see a dentist for an adjustment, reline or in some cases for new dentures.

Dentures like our own teeth need to be cleaned well at least once a day. They need to be taken out at night and put into a glass of water. This rests your mouth and gums, just like taking of your shoes before you go to bed, and allows the mouth to relax.

Where to get help for dental problems

Find a senior's friendly dentist. You want to establish an ongoing relationship with someone who will look after your oral health needs for the rest of your life. You should attend a dentist in your community, who has easy access with no or few stairs. Some dentists specialize in looking after seniors. If you think you should see a special dentist contact your health department dental staff who will be able to tell you which dentists have easy access, accept and welcome seniors and which are specialists.

Having a sore mouth or putting up with discomfort in your mouth is not part of getting older. We all deserve healthy teeth and gums free from pain. Remember poor oral health can get you down. It will

• Limit your social life, eating out with friends, smiling and chatting comfortably.
• Stop you singing, with friends, in the choir
• Turn your diet into "tea and toast"
• Make you unhappy