Dentist for Seniors
Silverdale, WA
Geriatric Dentistry provided by Dr. Kasey Gillespie, DDS
in Silverdale, WA at Life Long Dental
 Dental care has no age limit, and it can start when a person is as young as two years old and continue until old age. However, dental services for seniors involve unique considerations. Seniors are more likely to need dental services that involve treating oral health issues affecting them as a result of their age. At Life Long Dental, we prioritize dental health for seniors dealing with a myriad of concerns.
Dental Concerns for Seniors
Unlike people of a younger age, seniors tend to experience unique dental issues for reasons specifically attributed to their advanced ages. Here are the most common age-related dental concerns:
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss and periodontal diseases are the two most common dental concerns affecting seniors. Before losing their teeth, older adults experience tooth sensitivity, with their teeth also changing color to become a little darker, yellowed, or stained. The increased sensitivity and discoloration are a result of the continued loss of enamel and dentin, which is the hard, calcareous layer found below the enamel. Seniors also exhibit increased tooth deterioration because of significant gum recession.
Periodontal Disease
Seniors are prone to gum disease or periodontitis. Gum diseases among seniors are a direct result of improper dental hygiene practices. The dental health of seniors is also worsened by ill-fitting dental appliances, and their effect on the gums is the reason why these appliances have been associated with gum disease. Additionally, poor diet precipitates health conditions like cancer and diabetes that eventually affect senior oral health.
Cavities
As you age, your gums tend to recede or pull back as a result of over-brushing and gum disease. When your gums recede, it exposes the root surfaces of your teeth. Your teeth become more susceptible to tooth decay, with the roots becoming more porous than the crown of the tooth. Seniors have more cavities as a result of a receded gum line.
Poor Bite
At an older age, the supporting bone structure for our teeth, including the jaw bone, tends to shift significantly. When the bone structure shifts, proper biting becomes an issue. If you are a senior, you will be sure to notice that you no longer have the perfect bite you enjoyed at a younger age.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer has become a common problem for people aged 40 years and above. Visit our practice immediately if you notice the occurrence of white or red patches on your gums, tongue, or any other oral tissues. Any sores that fail to heal within two weeks might also be an indication of oral cancer.
Dry Mouth
Most seniors complain of dry mouth due to prescription medication and over-the-counter medications that affect their oral tissues. The oral tissues are responsible for keeping the mouth moist all the time by producing enough saliva. Medications affect these oral tissues, making it impossible for them to produce enough saliva, hence the dry mouth affecting these seniors.
A Senior Guide to Preventative Dental Care
Like all other aspects of health care, prevention remains the best medicine when it comes to oral health. Here are the three most important preventative strategies for seniors to follow, in addition to seeing the dentist at least every six months for check-ups and X-rays as needed.
Rinsing
Before brushing your teeth, rinse with plain water first to remove any food particles stuck to your teeth. The next step is to brush and then rinse again. You can use over-the-counter mouthwash that is free from alcohol but rich in fluoride to help you keep tooth decay at bay. A regular rinse with a therapeutic mouthwash can also come in handy to control the build-up of plaque, remove bad breath, control gingivitis, and enhance saliva production.
Brushing
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, for an average of two minutes for every brushing session. Use toothpaste containing the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This type of toothpaste contains fluoride that fights both tooth decay and plaque build-up.
You can opt for natural toothpaste, which is quite popular, but they should have the ADA seal. The active ingredients in natural toothpaste are derived from plants and are devoid of artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Finally, you need a toothbrush with extra-soft bristles. You should replace your toothbrush at least every four months or when the strands are matted or frayed.
When brushing, try to tilt your brush at a 45-degree angle and start with the teeth on the upper jaw. You should move your brush up and down the teeth and have short strokes from the gum line to the bottom of the tooth. Repeat the same process with the lower teeth.
Flossing
You should floss at least once or twice each day. You can floss before or after brushing, but it is preferable to floss after having a meal to reduce the build-up of bacteria in the mouth.
Restorative Dental Care for Seniors
Preventative care is important for seniors, but that does not mean that they do not suffer from any dental problems. Luckily, restorative dentistry can resolve many of these dental issues depending on the individual needs of a senior. One or a combination of these treatments can help maintain dental health into the later years:
Dental Fillings
Our dentist will use dental fillings to replace a lost tooth structure and strengthen teeth that have been weakened by fractures and the natural wear-and-tear due to the continuous grinding of the enamel. Dental fillings are also considered preventative dentistry because they halt any more deterioration of teeth structures.
Bridges and Crowns
Seniors can have bridges and crowns installed in areas where they have lost tooth structure due to decay or breakage. Bridges are artificial replacements for teeth, and crowns are used to enhance the appearance and strength of broken teeth.
Dentures
Seniors can also get partial or full dentures to replace missing teeth. These dentures make it possible for seniors to continue chewing while maintaining their speech.
Root Canal
Root canals involve the removal of infected pulp tissue that is usually found at the center of an affected tooth. The procedure then involves cleaning out all traces of the infection before the space created by the procedure is filled with special material.
Improve Seniors Dental Care
Good dental care is essential for seniors to maintain a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. Visit Life Long Dental to talk about preventative and restorative dentistry suitable for your individual needs. Contact us at (360) 633-2377 to schedule your appointment today. |
