In the not too distant past, most people took it for granted that losing one’s teeth was an inevitable part of growing older. The wear and tear of everyday life, accompanied by a general lack of knowledge about oral health, meant that most people began to lose their teeth in middle age. Thanks to modern dentistry, widespread water fluoridation, and improved public knowledge about dental hygiene, people today can expect to keep their natural teeth well into their golden years . . . as long as they take the proper steps to care for their smile. (more…)