I visited the Rock Hill Senior Center on Friday. I had a great time talking to guests there about dental health.

The York County Council on Aging sponsors the Highland Park Senior Center near downtown Rock Hill. This was a learning experience for me. I hope the guests at the center also learned from me.

Lots to love about my visit:

Ke’Asia Lance, Site Manager 

A recent Winthrop graduate, Ke’Asia is energetic, engaging, and happy with her job.

I enjoy being around people who love what they do. Ke’Asia truly loves the people she serves.

Thanks for inviting me to speak, Ke’Asia.

The Guests

Elderly? Didn’t seem that way to me. These ladies and gentleman were having a great time. They are lifelong learners.

I am happy that they wanted to learn about dental health.

Highland Park 

I was back in my home neighborhood! I covered this area on my paper route when I was 12 years old. I know all the streets in this old mill village.

I first played baseball at Grove Park, which is now called Highland Park. My baseball field was at the corner of N. Jones and Standard Streets. This is only a block from the Highland Park Senior Center.

Old Friends

I enjoy living and practicing dentistry in the town that I grew up in. I love talking about “the old days” in Rock Hill and seeing “old friends.”

Mrs. Bertie Lee and Mr. Miller are pictured below. Bertie Lee’s daughter is Connie Lee Campbell. I have known Connie for a long time. I loved watching Bertie’s granddaughter run track in high school. 

Mr. Miller is a long time resident of Rock Hill. He gave me a warm welcome. Such a nice gentleman!

My simple dental health advice:

If you have teeth

Keep them brushed. Eat a low carbohydrate diet. Drink plenty of water. Visit your hygienist.

If you have dry mouth, talk to your dentist about this. Do not suck on hard candies or cough drops.

Hard candy + dry mouth = decay and destruction of teeth.

If you don’t have teeth

Take care of your denture. Clean it daily. Keep in a well marked container when you are not wearing it.

See your dentist once a year for cancer and appliance checks. Check the condition and fit of your denture.

Would you like to have replacement teeth? We like to make dentures that fit well and look exactly like real teeth. 

Contact Cranford Dental if you would like to discuss denture options that are available today. 

If you have some of your teeth

Take extra good care of the teeth in your mouth. Keeping natural teeth strong will give you more options if you need to add teeth where you have gaps.

Visit the dentist to help keep your teeth and gums in good shape. 

Talk to your dentist if missing teeth bother you or cause problems eating. Today there are many great solutions for replacing teeth.

Healthy Teeth and Healthy Aging

Dental Health = Better General Health

• Healthy teeth and gums leads to better self esteem. You are more likely to stay engaged with others.
• Good teeth leads to healthier eating habits which helps general health.
• Taking control of dental health often leads to improving other areas such as diet and exercise.
• Hurting teeth leads to feeling bad all over.
• A nice smile increases self confidence and may open new doors as you age.

Happy Aging = Healthy Aging

Here are some of my observations from the Rock Hill Senior Center:

• Guests and residents were active and engaged.
• They spent time visiting with other people every day.
• Their environment at the Senior Center was bright and happy.
• They wanted to keep learning (even about teeth!).
• “Seniors” welcomed me warmly and made sure I felt at home.

I would like to follow this example in the coming years!

We treat people of all ages at our Rock Hill dental office. It is rewarding to help people keep all of their teeth as they get older. I am happy to practice in a time when we know that losing teeth is not a natural part of aging.

We see many patients who are in 80’s, 90’s, and (yes!) 100’s. Many are on a good dental care plan and will always have their natural teeth. 

For others, we are glad that “only their dentist knows for sure.”

If you have questions about my old neighborhood, the Highland Park area, or the Rock Hill Senior Center, contact me at Cranford Dental or call 803-324-7670.

I would be happy to talk about the old days in Rock Hill or about your current dental care needs.