Oral Health for Seniors

The good habits of effective daily brushing, diet, and regular preventive care will help the aging person adapt to the changing conditions of their oral health.Reduced salivary flow and addition of medications will affect oral health dramatically. Three problems to look for are as follows:

1. Changes of the teeth and gums: Teeth will darken because of long-term exposure to plaque and changes in the dentin within the tooth. The gums may recede and uncover the roots. Exposed roots will be darker than the enamel part of the tooth and are prone to decay. Fillings can decay and darken, too, as they weaken over time.
2. “Dry Mouth” may develop: Saliva is useful to lubricate, wash away plaque, and neutralize the acid produced by plaque. Flow of saliva can be reduced by a medical disorder or be a side effect of antihistamine, decongestants, pain killers or diuretics.
3. The build-up of plaque will accelerate tooth decay. There will also be more gum infection which will cause a loss of bone support for the teeth. Poorly-fitting or poorly-cleaned dentures, illness, and some medications increase the severity of the problem.
The other major challenge for Seniors and their oral health is financial.
There are a growing number of seniors that do not have the adequate dental insurance coverage to cover all their expenses. That, in addition to that fact that many surgical procedures such as tooth replacement with dental implants and bone grafting are usually not covered by dental insurance.
For this reason, we here at Promenade Dentistry have become one of the very few dental offices that are certified with Medicare. What that means for you or your loved ones is thousands of dollars in savings.
For more information regarding dental problems of the elderly, please call our office at (661) 222-2242 or visit www.PromenadeDentistry.com