Survey: Many Older Iowans Regret Not Taking Better Care Of Their Smiles

(Johnston, IA) — Iowa has one of the nation’s oldest populations by percentage and a new study finds people 50-plus realize the importance of oral health but aren’t necessarily taking the steps to prioritize it. Sarah Chavarria, President of Delta Dental, says the insurance company’s latest survey finds 72 percent said they wish they’d taken better care of their teeth and mouth when they were younger, two in five admit they smile a lot less now than when they were younger, and one in three say the appearance of their teeth stops them from smiling in photos. Chavarria says more than two-thirds of people aged 65 and older have gum disease, which can be an indicator for diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s.