09/04/2026
Healthy Aging Month and National Dental Implant Awareness Month spotlight the importance of protecting oral health, nutrition and function later in life.
As September marks Healthy Aging Month and National Dental Implant Awareness Month, a North Carolina periodontist is urging adults to make oral health part of their plans for aging well, warning that tooth loss should not simply be accepted as an inevitable consequence of getting older.
Dr. Jose Arauz, a board-certified periodontist and chief dental officer at Carolina Dental Specialty Center in Jacksonville, says preserving healthy teeth, gums and supporting bone can play an important role in maintaining the ability to eat comfortably and retain oral function later in life.
The concern is significant among older Americans. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, adults 65 and older have an average of 21 remaining teeth, and about 15% have lost all of their natural teeth.
Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults, and about two in five adults 30 and older have some form of the disease.
“Getting older does not mean you should expect to lose your teeth,” Arauz said. “We want people to think about their oral health the same way they think about mobility, nutrition and other aspects of healthy aging. Being able to comfortably eat, speak and smile matters at every age, and protecting that function should be part of planning for the future.”
September’s observances provide an opportunity to bring greater attention to that connection. National Dental Implant Awareness Month, designated by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, is intended to educate the public about dental implants and tooth replacement options.
Healthy Aging Month focuses more broadly on maintaining health and quality of life as people age. Arauz says the two conversations are closely connected.
Arauz says one of the challenges with periodontal disease is that patients may wait for significant pain before seeking care. Gum disease can progress without the type of discomfort a patient might expect from a serious dental problem.
Warning signs that may warrant evaluation include gums that bleed regularly, gum recession, loose or shifting teeth, persistent swelling or inflammation and changes in the way the teeth fit together.
Read the full article here: https://carolinadsc.com/tooth-loss-should-not-be-considered-a-normal-part-of-aging/