Dentistry for Seniors
With age, come a lot of health issues, including oral health risks. Seniors are more vulnerable to dental, periodontal and other oral issues because of the natural aging process and their inability to perform proper dental care by themselves.
As a result, many of the senior patients we see at ComfortCare Dental suffer from a wide range of dental issues.
Dental Issues in Seniors
Many seniors are susceptible to the below issues:
Discolored teeth: Discolored teeth may be due to the wearing down of the enamel, which reveals the color of the yellow or grayish dentin underneath. It may be due to stains that form after a lifetime of consuming darkly-pigmented food or tobacco. In some cases, a dark tooth may be a sign of a more serious issue like dental infection.
Dry mouth: Dry mouth is caused by a reduction in saliva. It can be due to certain medications, diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome, or as a side effect of radiation treatment for cancer.
Root decay: Seniors may suffer from recessed gum, which results in the exposure of tooth root. Since the tooth roots do not have the hard enamel to protect them, they are very vulnerable to decay and infection.
Gum disease: Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque and is made worse by tobacco products, food debris, and poor fitting restorations. It may also be due to diseases like cancer, diabetes, and anemia.
Tooth loss: Uncontrolled gum disease can lead to the eventual loss of tooth.
Misalignment of teeth: This is caused by missing teeth that have not been replaced and cause the other teeth in the mouth to shift out of place. This results in the development of an uneven jawbone.
Denture-induced stomatitis: Poor-fitting dentures coupled with bad oral hygiene can result in a fungal infection that causes the inflammation of the tissue beneath the dentures.
Dental Hygiene Practices for Seniors
To maintain good dental care, seniors require:
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is a preventive screening to look for symptoms of cancer and precancerous conditions in your mouth. At ComfortCare Dental, our doctors will conduct a visual and physical exam of your mouth to detect lesions, sores, bleeding, rough texture, discolored patches, and lumps in your mouth and back of the throat.
Dental Exam
A routine dental exam, after two to six months, depending on the condition of your mouth, is vital to ensure oral health. During this exam, we may take x-rays of your mouth and look for signs of cavities and gum disease. We will also perform a dental cleaning and give you a fluoride treatment as required.
Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning involves getting rid of the hidden tartar in your mouth. We may take a small ultrasonic device to remove the excess plaque from the surface of the teeth. We may also use scalers to scrape off the tartar from between your teeth and beneath the gum line.
Once your teeth are free of plaque, we will scrub them to make their surface smooth so that bacteria won’t be able to adhere to it. We may also do deep flossing and provide you with a fluoride treatment.
Dentures
The most affordable and conservative way to replace your teeth is to get dentures. At ComfortCare Dental, we offer you the most comfortable custom-made dentures that can restore your ability to eat and speak properly.
If you are a senior who is suffering from any of the above dental issues, contact our offices in Milwaukie or Oregon City, our Mobile Dental Clinic, or schedule an appointment with us.
Contact Our Offices
Milwaukie: (503) 855-0465
Oregon City: (503) 765-7185
Mobile Dental Clinic: (503) 653-9334
