UPMC for Life Dual (HMO SNP) Plan and UPMC Community HealthChoices Plan Caring for Life Newsletter

CARING FOR LIFE • Issue Three • 2021 11 What’s in your mouth? Your teeth, lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, and glands that help break down food are all part of your mouth. Practicing good oral health means taking care of all of these things. When you do this, you help make sure that your teeth and your smile stay with you for a lifetime. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends doing the following to take care of your teeth and mouth. 1 • Drink fluoridated water and brush with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride (a mineral) can help prevent tooth decay and cavities. It is often added to drinking water supplies and can be found in most tap water. Many kinds of toothpaste also contain fluoride. If you are unsure about which toothpaste to use, talk to your dentist. • Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth (including your tongue) twice each day, and floss once a day. If you cannot brush or floss on your own, ask a caregiver or loved one to help you. • Go to a dentist. Seeing a dentist twice a year can help you avoid issues with your mouth and teeth. The dentist will examine your teeth, clean them, and take x-rays to get a better look. This will help your dentist spot anything that could become an issue later on. Even if you have dentures, you should still see a dentist. You can also talk to your dentist about other issues you may be having, like a sudden change in your sense of taste or smell. Your primary care provider (PCP) can also play a part in your oral health. For example, if you take a medication that causes dry mouth, you can ask your PCP for a different medication that may not have this side effect. If you still have dry mouth, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco products. • Do not use tobacco products. These include cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other forms of tobacco. Using these products can cause oral cancer, gum disease, and other oral health problems, including dry mouth. 2 • Limit alcoholic drinks. Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to serious health problems, including cancer of the mouth and throat. 3 Take care of your mouth and teeth These tips can help you practice good oral health Taking care of your mouth is important. It works hard to help you do a lot of things. Your mouth helps you eat, talk, and express how you feel with a smile or a frown. Don’t risk it. If you don’t take care of your mouth and teeth, you could be at risk for long-term problems. These are just a few of the issues that can happen as a result of poor oral hygiene. Tooth decay (cavities). Cavities happen when tooth enamel breaks down because of bacteria on the teeth. Even if you think your teeth are healthy, there could be decay that you can’t see or feel. Decay can damage the tooth from the inside out. Even a little hole on the outside of your tooth could cause big problems. Gum disease (infected gums). Gum disease starts when germs on your teeth get under your gums. Good oral hygiene and regular cleanings can help prevent or control gum disease. Left untreated, severe gum disease can lead to loose teeth. Some of the signs of gum disease may include red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing, and sensitive teeth. If you notice signs of gum disease, contact your dentist right away. Tooth loss. Teeth can fall out for different reasons: • Accidents, like falling or being hit in the mouth • Cavities • Severe gum disease • Health conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease or stroke, diabetes, and emphysema 4 1 Oral Health Tips: What Can Adults Do to Maintain Good Oral Health? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated Feb. 1, 2021. Accessed May 5, 2021. www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html 2 Tobacco use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated Nov. 8, 2020. Accessed May 6, 2021. www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/tobacco- use/index.html 3 Alcohol use and your health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated Feb. 23, 2021. Accessed May 6, 2021. www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/ basics/adult-oral-health/tips.html 4 Adult oral health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated Dec. 2, 2020. Accessed May 5, 2021. www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral- health/index.html