Do you or someone you care about have trouble enjoying a healthy diet due to problems with chewing food? Natural teeth are meant to last a lifetime and at Tim Loughran Dentistry, we care about your forever teeth. Most importantly, the ability to chew food should be enjoyed for one’s lifetime. However, senior dental health is threatened by the same decay processes as other age groups. Just like other age groups, sugary liquids and sticky sweets are the major culprits. But, in seniors, the risk of getting cavities is amplified by changes in one’s saliva. Why? Well, many common prescription medications are known to include “decreased saliva flow” in the list of side effects. However, saliva is needed to buffer acids in the mouth. As a result, when saliva flow is diminished, root surfaces of teeth are more vulnerable to decay. This is because the tooth root lacks the protection of enamel. And, if gum tissue has receded away from the harder enamel, root surfaces can be exposed. In addition, advancing age may show a decline in manual dexterity, making personal dental care less effective and more difficult. When caregivers are involved, a lack of knowledge and willingness to perform proper senior dental care may accelerate a cavity problem.
The best news is that there are many options for maintaining optimum senior dental care these days.
Optimal oral health care can be maintained in our senior years, and in some aspects even regained where once absent. Most importantly, hopefully, these straightforward self-help suggestions seem doable!
– Avoid sipping sugar-laden liquids outside of mealtime
– Keep the plaque off by brushing your teeth after every snack and meal
– Use an inexpensive, motorized toothbrush near the gum-line, slowly moving it around your mouth for at least 1 minute
– Clean between your teeth daily with easily-to-hold floss-picks or toothpicks
– Use a fluoride rinse daily
– Look between your teeth near the gum-line to see if you are keeping them smooth and clean.
Advances in medical science allow many of us to live longer, and with those extra years comes added health maintenance responsibility. So, do you value your natural teeth and want forever teeth? The older we get, the more valid that question becomes! Let us help!
Advancing age often brings diminished saliva flow and declining manual dexterity. In other words, this is a potential recipe for dental decay and a dental disaster. In addition, advancing age can also mean a tightening budget, challenging us to refine our spending pattern. For example, we sometimes hear seniors consider lengthening the time between maintenance appointments for budget reasons. However, shortening the interval to every 4-6 months may make more sense for disease-prevention reasons.
Our dental hygienists, Shanna and Nicole, are friendly and caring. A periodic maintenance appointment with either of them includes a gentle and complete cleaning. In addition, you get a thorough exam update with Dr. Loughran, including necessary radiographs; and personalized home care instruction. The fee is fixed at $108.
When an adult tooth “needs fixing” we assume the best option is the one predicted to last the longest. But, however, should the same reasoning apply in our Senior Years?
The most important consideration in treatment planning dental care for seniors is the expectations of the senior!
– “Can you afford to lose this tooth”?
– “How do you feel about wearing a removable appliance”?
– “Is comfort and the ability to chew more important than appearance”?
For seniors, the answers to these very questions best determine the course of treatment we consider. In fact, Dr. Loughran often suggests that “when you have enough information you will know what is best for you.” We can help you make a plan for enjoying dental health and your forever teeth, at any age no matter what.
