Dental care is certainly not a one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, your oral care needs will change throughout different stages of your life. If you’re in your golden years, or consider yourself an “aging adult,” you’re likely to face a number of different dental health challenges that you may have avoided in your younger years. It is important to not only recognize these needs but to also find a dentist that is equipped to provide dentistry for seniors. At Gilreath Family Dentistry, we proudly serve patients of all ages with top-quality dental care services, which include specialized treatments for the aging adult population.
Restorative Dentistry for the Aging Adult
You’ve lived a good portion of your life. Whether it is years of teeth grinding, smoking or other factors, your teeth have likely experienced a significant amount of wear and tear. In addition, your enamel (outer tooth layer) naturally thins and weakens as you get older. This can set you up for tooth fractures, decay, and other problems. Therefore, it is not surprising that many seniors require restorative dentistry during this stage in life. This may include dental crowns, bridges, implants, or dentures.
Never dismiss the importance of replacing a missing tooth, even if you think you’re too old to reap the benefits. Tooth loss can lead to a variety of threats to your dental health, your nutritional health as well as your overall well-being or quality of life. Dental implants offer remarkable success for patients over the age of 65 and beyond.
When Your Medication Threatens Your Oral Health
Many seniors are on daily medications. While these pills may help keep your body healthy, they may have a negative impact on your oral health. For example, certain blood pressure medications, pain killers and diuretics contribute to dry mouth. This can be a problem. Without enough saliva in your mouth, you become vulnerable to gum disease, tooth decay, mouth sores and bad breath. While it may not be possible to stop taking these medications, it is important to work with your dentist to find an effective remedy for your dry mouth so that your oral health doesn’t suffer. Dry mouth is one of the most common dental health issues for seniors, and one that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Protecting Your Oral Health as You Age
At Gilreath Family Dentistry, we are able to cater to the unique dental needs of seniors. Your golden years are certainly not a time to skip your routine dental appointments, as we can provide important preventative care for your smile so that you can avoid disruptive and costly oral health problems as you age. Contact our Marietta office today to schedule your visit.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
