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Dental Care For Seniors: Frequently Asked Questions

Seniors are the fastest-growing age group in the U.S., in part because medical advances and preventive care are extending life and the quality of it. As the baby boomer generation ages, the senior population is swelling, along with their interest in maintaining healthy bodies and lifestyles. Good oral health is important to overall health and seniors must stay on top of their dental care. It is now possible to keep natural teeth and good dental hygiene plays a vital role in keeping that smile.

Dental Decay and Gum Disease

Talk to your dentist about the proper care of your teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly are the most important steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy and maintain that smile. If age is causing your gums to recede, clean your teeth thoroughly, but be careful not to irritate or tear the gums. A receding gum line may also expose sensitive portions of teeth; careful brushing is important, as are toothpastes that offer sensitivity protection. If you have difficulty using a toothbrush or floss because arthritis or a stroke has impaired your agility, ask your dentist to recommend commercial products that will make the tasks easier. Bleeding or sensitive gums, constant bad breath, receding gums, and loose teeth are all symptoms of gum disease, which can hasten tooth loss. If you spot these symptoms, talk with your dentist about them before they cause pain and deterioration.

Watch Your Mouth!

After a lifetime of chewing and biting, many seniors have dentures, bridges, crowns, and, of course, their fair share of fillings. Over time, even the best dental hardware can wear out. If you feel changes in your mouth, particularly when you are eating, brushing, or flossing, bring them to your dentist's attention. You may take medications or have a medical condition that results in dry mouth. Saliva production is important to good oral health: it keeps the mouth moist, washes away food particles, and protects against decay from plaque. Enlist the help of your dentist, and ask about artificial saliva products so that you don't have to worry about giving a big smile.

Maintaining Your Dental Investment

Don't stop caring for your teeth and mouth at this stage of the game! Keeping your teeth healthy means greater comfort and enjoyment as you eat, laugh, and speak. Good preventive care will give you something to really smile about!

Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

Medical and Dental Care Emergencies

The primary purpose of a patient visit to the dental office is to allow their doctor and/or dental auxiliary to perform a dental treatment that will aid in the improvement of their overall oral health. The primary goal of the doctor is to perform this treatment as effectively and as safely as possible. Patients give little thought to the possibility that some unforeseen medical emergency might arise in the period of time during which they are in the dental office.

Many of the things done by the doctor and staff prior to, and during, the dental treatment are done to minimize the risk of a medical emergency. For example, the medical history questionnaire, recording of blood pressure, and discussion of a patient's health history help to determine what potential risks might be present and enables the doctor to modify the planned dental treatment to minimize the potential risks. In many instances, the use of conscious sedation will be indicated as a means of decreasing stress associated with dental care. This is especially important in persons with cardiovascular diseases (such as high blood pressure or angina) who might be somewhat fearful of visiting the dentist. The use of effective drugs for pain control (such as local anesthetics) is yet another means of minimizing the risk of medical emergencies developing during treatment.

In the unlikely event that a medical emergency does occur while a patient is in the dental office, one should know that (it is highly likely) the doctor has received training in the management of medical emergencies that develop frequently.

Amongst the more commonly observed medical emergencies in dental offices are fainting, seizures, acute asthmatic attacks, allergy, and chest pain (angina).

Virtually all of these emergencies occur as a result of fear and anxiety. Therefore, it becomes very important for the patient to advise their doctor if they are apprehensive about their dental treatment. Steps usually can be taken which will prevent these situations from occurring.

Additionally, in many states it is mandatory for all dentists to be certified in basic life support (CPR) on a regular basis. In many dental offices, additional staff personnel are also trained in this very important technique.

Dental offices maintain an emergency supply of oxygen, as well as commonly used emergency equipment and drugs.

And finally, most dental offices are located in close proximity to their community's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system (9-1-1). A telephone call activating this system will provide well-trained life-saving medical assistance within a few minutes.

By Stanley F. Malamed, DDS