(NAPSI)-With each passing decade, it's easy to get nostalgic and remember the "good old days." Maybe it was when the kids still lived at home (or when the kids moved out), when the first grandchild arrived or when you still had all your teeth. . .
As the first wave of baby boomers begins to turn 60, the good news is the promise of a longer, fuller life than any other generation, with many boomers committed to maintaining optimal health. As part of this increased focus, experts want to ensure that good oral hygiene is not just a thing of the past.
Research has shown that there is a strong link between oral health and overall health. For baby boomers, this means maintaining proper care of their natural teeth, since one of the biggest detriments to oral health and potentially overall health is tooth loss. If a tooth becomes infected and is not treated with a root canal, it typically must be extracted.
Endodontists, the root canal specialists, can help. Root canals save more than 17 million teeth a year.
"I remember my parents needing dentures," says Teresa Cyrwus of Park Ridge, Ill., who will turn 56 this year. "Instead, I've had two root canals to help preserve my natural teeth."
Untreated, infected teeth can lead to other oral complications, including gum disease. Several studies have demonstrated that gum-or periodontal-disease can lead to a variety of health complications, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A root canal removes the infected tissue inside the tooth and helps to reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
An additional study from the January 2007 Journal of the National Cancer Institute showed an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in individuals who had experienced tooth loss.
"Given the connection between oral health and overall health, taking care of their teeth should become just as important to baby boomers as eating well and regular exercise," says Dr. Shepard Goldstein, president of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) and an endodontist in Framingham, Mass. "When a tooth is infected, a root canal is the best way to save the natural tooth, preserving tooth function and avoiding health complications."
According to Dr. Goldstein, endodontists are prepared to help baby boomers achieve their best possible dental health. "Thanks to advances in dental care, most baby boomers will keep their natural teeth for life, unlike their parents, many of whom ended up wearing dentures. Maintaining your natural teeth is another vital step in achieving optimal overall health, and root canal procedures are essential for preserving natural teeth."
For more information, visit www.rootcanalspecialists.org.