As you age, the chance that you will need to deal with dental issues or emergencies increases dramatically. For this reason, it is important to educate yourself on best practices and tips that can help you keep your teeth healthy over time. If you are a senior who is experiencing issues with your teeth or would simply like to stay on top of your dental care, our Desert Hot Springs dentist shares dental care tips for seniors.
Dental Care Basics
Most people are familiar with the basics surrounding dental care. Brushing your teeth, flossing, and avoiding sugary foods are considered essential practices that can help extend the life and strength of one’s teeth. Practicing proper dental hygiene throughout your life can diminish the chance that you will experience these issues later on.
Dental Care Tips for Seniors
As we age, our bodies unfortunately become more susceptible to a range of health issues. To protect yourself against these issues, consider the following dental care tips for seniors.
Protect Against Issues that Affect the Teeth of Seniors
Many conditions can impact the health of seniors that are not as common for those of younger age or not as severe. The following are examples of such conditions:
- Teeth darkening
- Dry mouth
- Root decay
- Gum disease
- Tooth loss
- Stomatitis
- Thrush
Obviously, age is not the sole factor that can contribute to the development of the above conditions. However, advanced age has the potential to exacerbate any of these issues, and older adults generally have a more difficult time recovering from conditions like these. In addition, some patients experience changes in their sense of taste or smell, which can further complicate the above medical conditions.
Be Aware of Comorbid Conditions
The health of a senior can influence their overall state of dental health as well. If you have any of the following health conditions, you may be more vulnerable to developing dental health problems as you age:
- Hypertension
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- COPD
- Dementia
- Depression
Many other medical conditions can impact how your dental care will transpire and how your recovery period will look. If you struggle with any of the above conditions, your dentist should be informed about them prior to performing any serious dental work. Thus, they will be able to approach your treatment with the proper delicacy required to ensure the highest level of care possible for your procedure.
Consider Tooth Restoration Options
Several types of dental implants are commonly employed for seniors. Many of these implants are also often used for patients who are not of advanced age as well.
- Bridges: These are also known as fixed partial dentures. They replace missing teeth with artificial ones to close gaps that exist in a patient’s smile.
- Crowns: Crowns are tooth coverings or caps that can help strengthen damaged teeth and improve their overall appearance. Crowns can also be affixed to dental bridges.
- Full-Mouth Dental Implants: Full-mouth dental implants can also be an option for those who have lost all of their teeth but prefer a more long-lasting alternative to dentures.
- Full Dentures: Full dentures are used to replace a full set of teeth. They can often be removed or inserted by the patient.
Find the Right Dental Care
Another dental care challenge for seniors can be finding affordable coverage, thanks to the fact that many seniors live on fixed incomes, which can make it hard to afford the care that they need. Medicare and Medicaid often end up not covering many of the procedures that elderly patients need to have performed. Tips for handling this include:
- Consider looking into treatments from a dental school, where students get experience training on patients for a reduced cost.
- Look into dentists that charge based on income. These resources are often listed by the county or state health department.
- United Way can sometimes direct patients to low-cost dental services or programs.
If you have a relationship with a dentist you like, you can ask them if they have any advice regarding your ability to receive coverage.
The Best Dentist in Southern California
Shodhan Dentistry of Desert Hot Springs is dedicated to giving the patients of the Desert Hot Springs area the best in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. If you are interested in discussing your dental needs with a professional, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
