No matter your age, visiting the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings is an essential part of protecting your oral health. Receiving oral healthcare services shouldn’t stop when a person ages either – some of our patients are 80-years young. Mature patients have unique health needs when compared to other age groups. While children might be contending with the effects of tooth decay, mature adults might be dealing with periodontal disease and tooth loss. Our practice treats all our guests with dignity and respect.
The Unique Needs of Mature Patients
The needs of some mature patients can be just the same as another age group but many times, our older guests require restorative treatments and prosthetics. This is because decades of using our adult teeth leads to decay, worn dentition, and even tooth loss. It’s common for a mature patient to have a couple different types of restorations on their teeth as well as prosthetics like bridges or dental implants. During dental checkups, our team will evaluate the placement and performance of all restorations and prosthetics. If we find that restorations or prosthetics are loose or failing, new restorations/prosthetics might be necessary to keep teeth healthy and oral function optimal. Understanding the unique anatomy of our patients and their dental treatment history is essential for protecting the oral health of seniors.
Other unique needs that mature people tend to have include increased risks for periodontal disease and tooth loss. Seniors are also at risk for developing oral cancer, which is why our dentist performs oral cancer screenings during oral checkups. Since gum health has a lot to do with the health of teeth, periodontal therapy is important for preventing the progression of gum disease. The health of mature patients’ gums is very important to our team.
Common Treatments for Seniors
Along with restorative and periodontal treatments, mature patients might require dentures and dental implants to replace lost teeth. Senior patients are susceptible to bone deterioration in the jaw as well – normally due to the loss of teeth. Bone health is a major concern for dental professionals, especially among our mature guests. This is why our team utilizes advanced diagnostics to evaluate the health of all oral structures.
If it’s time for a checkup, give our practice a call to set up an appointment.
