Senior Dentistry
Hillsboro, OR
 Taking good care of seniors does not only involve focusing on their diet and physical capabilities but also the health of their teeth and gums. Dental health is among the things that many people often forget. Poor oral health can lead to severe issues such as pneumonia, heart disease, and diabetes. In this case, dental care for seniors should be a priority. Do you want to improve oral health for your older loved ones? At Century Dental, we offer senior dentistry care to ensure healthy gums and teeth for seniors.
What Is Senior Dentistry?
Senior dentistry, also known as geriatric dentistry, is the delivery of dental care services for older adults. Seniors are more susceptible to oral health issues due to their age and the potential inability to take care of their teeth and gums. As you age, you will likely experience bone changes. Reductions in bone strength can lead to teeth loosening and fall out. It can also affect your facial appearance, such as collapsed cheeks and wrinkles around the mouth. While this is part of aging, it can lower your confidence and affect your ability to eat and speak. In this case, prioritizing dental health care for seniors is a good idea. It will allow adults to enjoy their favorite meals and prevent oral issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, toothaches, and tooth loss.
Common Oral Concerns for Seniors
In addition to jawbone deterioration and tooth loss, seniors may also experience darkened teeth. This occurs due to enamel thinning, leading to dentin exposure, which is dark yellow. Another common oral issue for seniors is a dry mouth. In most cases, it results from medications, which reduce saliva flow in the mouth. When you have a dry mouth, there will be no components to wash away food debris. This leads to the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Luckily, senior dentistry can help to prevent all of these oral issues. It will ensure a clean mouth free from pain and plaque build-up.
How to Maintain Oral Health for Seniors
Cleaning your teeth is the first defense against dental issues. However, cleaning your teeth goes beyond brushing and flossing. You may need to visit a dentist at least twice yearly for plaque and tartar removal. Mouthwash is also necessary to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth. In addition, if your elderly loved one has missing teeth, it would be good to replace the missing teeth to enhance eating and speaking. Restorative dentistry also helps to prevent other oral issues such as teeth shifting, jawbone deterioration, misalignments, and teeth loosening. Some common tooth restoration procedures may involve dentures, dental implants, and dental bridges. A dentist may recommend a tooth replacement option depending on your budget, oral needs, and preferences. At Century Dental, we provide integrated professional dental care services for seniors. Contact us at (971) 708-1608 for a free consultation and learn more about our senior dentistry services. |
