Chew on this - Dental health - Brief Article

Vegetarian Times, July, 2003

Nearly 25 percent of Americans over 65 have lost all their permanent teeth, and those over 50 who have lost pairs of back teeth have poorer diets than those with full sets. Finding it hard to chew, they eat fewer fruits and vegetables and don't get enough vitamins A and C, carotene, folic acid and fiber, says Elizabeth Krall of Tufts Nutrition Center on Aging.

Carole Palmer, a professor at Tufts' School of Dental Medicine, says that people losing their teeth should consume cooked fruits and vegetables, applesauce, juices and vegetable soups.