Senior Dental Care Specialist

What is senior dental care?

Senior dental care is geared towards the unique dental needs of senior citizens. Some dental conditions become more prevalent in older populations, and the experienced senior dental specialists at Glad Dental P.C. are highly skilled in addressing those issues. 

What are some common dental problems for seniors?

Some of the most common issues that are addressed in senior dental care include:

Gum disease

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of your gum tissues. It’s caused when plaque and tartar build-up and are left on your teeth for too long. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria and acids that are harmful to your gum tissue and cause your gums to get irritated and swollen.

Gum disease starts as gingivitis, which leaves your gums tender and red, and can cause them to bleed when you brush or floss. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, in which your gums have become so irritated from the plaque and tartar on your smile that they begin to recede and pull away from your teeth. This creates pockets between your teeth and gums that are prone to collecting debris and bacteria. This debris and bacteria further irritate your gums, which recede even more in response.

Eventually, the disease erodes your gums and the tissues holding your teeth in place, at which point your teeth fall out. While gum disease can happen at any age, seniors can be at a higher risk of developing it due to poor-fitting bridges and dentures or certain diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and anemia.

Tooth loss

Tooth loss can happen for several reasons. The most common causes of tooth loss are:

• Tooth decay

• Gum disease

• Physical trauma, like a sports injury or automobile accident

The older your teeth, the more susceptible you are to losing them. The team at Glad Dental P.C. is highly skilled in administering several tooth replacement solutions that can restore your smile back to its full capabilities so you can eat and speak with ease again. 

Darkened teeth

Teeth can turn dark for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s purely a cosmetic concern. The enamel of your teeth gradually wears down over time, which eventually allows more of the soft tissue in your tooth, called dentin, to show through. Your dentin, meanwhile, gets darker as you age, so the combination of degrading enamel and yellowing dentin can lead to darkened teeth. 

Sometimes, though, a darkened tooth can be indicative of a more serious dental concern, like a tooth infection. Dr. Yakobashvili, Dr. Datikashvili, and the dental experts at Glad Dental P.C. examine your smile to determine what exactly is causing your tooth discoloration and provide you with excellent treatments to remedy your condition.

Root Decay

Root decay happens when your tooth root is exposed to decay-causing acids, typically a result of gum recession that exposes your tooth root. 

Uneven jawbone

An uneven jawbone can develop when you don’t replace missing teeth. Your remaining teeth shift out of alignment as they move towards the empty space, leaving your overall bite to fall out of alignment as well.

Thrush

Thrush is an overgrowth in your mouth of a fungus, triggered by diseases or drugs that impact your immune system.

Diminished sense of taste

Senior patients can sometimes lose the intensity of their taste. While this is typically just a natural effect of aging, it can also be caused by certain diseases, medications, or dentures.

Denture-induced stomatitis

This is an inflammation of the tissue beneath your dentures, and can be caused by a buildup of the fungus, poor dental hygiene, or simply poorly fitting dentures.

What can I expect during my senior dental care visit?

During your senior dental care visit, your Glad Dental P.C. dentist conducts an oral exam to assess your mouth and smile. The team makes sure to note the health of your:

• Face and neck
• Bite
• Jaw
• Lymph nodes and salivary glands
• Inner cheeks
• Tongue and interior surfaces of your mouth
• Teeth 

If you wear dentures, your dentist also pays particular attention to any common problem areas for denture patients and will examine the dentures themselves to ensure that they’re functioning properly.

How can seniors keep their smiles healthy at home?

You need to maintain regular checkups and cleanings with a professional dental team, like Dr. Yakobashvili, Dr. Datikashvili, and the experts at Glad Dental P.C., but good at-home care is also essential to keeping your smile healthy. 

To maintain good oral health, seniors should:

• Brush their teeth two times a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride

• Floss at least one time every day

• Rinse their mouths with an antiseptic mouthwash one to two times daily

If you or a loved one is looking for exceptional senior dental care, schedule a visit today with the dedicated professionals at Glad Dental P.C. You can book your visit by calling the office and speaking to a friendly staff member or using the convenient online scheduling tool.