As we age, our dental health needs change, and our dental care routines may need to change too. Senior dental care is specialized to address the unique challenges that older adults face. BDG offers specialized senior dental care in Las Vegas for older adults looking for implants, denture care, and other restorative dental work. Let’s take a closer look at senior dental care and what it includes, such as regular checkups, tooth replacement options, denture care, and treatment for chipped or damaged teeth.
What is Senior Dental Care?
Senior dental care is a branch of dentistry focused on the oral health of older adults. As we get older, our teeth can become more brittle and our dental needs can change. Older adults may experience a variety of dental issues more often or more severely, including tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Senior dental care aims to prevent, diagnose, and treat these conditions, ensuring that seniors maintain a good quality of life.
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The Importance of Regular Checkups
Regular dental checkups are important for all of us, and especially for seniors. These visits allow dentists to monitor oral health, detect problems early, and provide preventive care. Dental checkups that are specialized for seniors may include any or all of the following:
- Examine Teeth and Gums: Check for signs of decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
- Clean Teeth: Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing can’t.
- Oral Cancer Screening: Early detection of oral cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
- Evaluate Dentures: For those with dentures, the dentist will check the fit and function, making adjustments as needed.
- Tooth repairs: If teeth are chipped or damaged, a dentist specialized in senior care can discuss the best options for repairs.
- Tooth replacement: If teeth have been lost due to decay or injury, your dentist can discuss the best options for replacement.
Advantages of Specialized Senior Dental Care
Offices that specialize in senior dental care offer a number of advantages. These offices and professionals have experience with the types of dental issues that older adults are more likely to face. These offices are also connected to numerous different professionals, including endodontists and orthodontists, which can provide specialized care. Let’s take a look at the advantages of specialized senior dental care.
Comprehensive Care in One Place
Dental offices that specialize in senior care offer comprehensive services tailored to the needs of older adults. This means that seniors can receive all necessary treatments in one place, so there’s no need to shuttle between multiple offices and work with different professionals. This convenience can be particularly beneficial for those with mobility issues or other health concerns that make travel difficult.
Experienced Professionals
Specialized senior dental care providers have experience and training in addressing the unique dental needs of older adults. They understand the complexities of aging and are equipped to provide compassionate, effective care. This expertise ensures that seniors receive the best possible treatment for their oral health concerns.
Tailored Treatment Plans
Senior dental care involves creating personalized treatment plans that consider the individual’s overall health, medications, and specific dental issues. These tailored plans help ensure that each patient receives the most appropriate and effective care for their unique situation. This is especially important for procedures that require multiple steps and multiple visits. This may include dental implants, denture care, root canals, and other treatments for fortifying, restoring, or repairing teeth.
Specialized Senior Care Treatments in Las Vegas
Let’s take a look at what you might expect from a dental office with specialized senior care. The following are a few of the treatments that might be provided by an office with professionals who have experience working with seniors.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular and effective option for replacing missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone, which serves as a root for a replacement tooth. Implants are durable, look natural, and function like real teeth. They also help preserve the jawbone, preventing bone loss that can occur after tooth loss. Professionals who are experienced with dental implants and senior care might offer specialized services surrounding dental implants, like dental implants with bone loss.
Bridges and Crowns
Dental bridges and crowns are other options for replacing missing or damaged teeth. A bridge fills the gap left by one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth, while a crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, and function. These solutions are less invasive than implants and can be a good choice for those who may not be candidates for implant surgery.
Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures: complete dentures, for those who have lost all their teeth, and partial dentures, for those with some remaining natural teeth. Dentures help restore the ability to eat and speak properly and improve the appearance of the smile. Making and fitting dentures requires several dental visits, and your senior dental specialists can walk you through these steps with ease.
Regular Checkups for Dentures
Regular dental checkups are important when you have dentures. During these visits, the dentist will examine the gums and the fit of the dentures, making adjustments if necessary. Over time, changes in the mouth can affect how dentures fit, so periodic adjustments are often needed to ensure comfort and functionality, and prevent uncomfortable wear or friction.
Treatments for Chipped or Damaged Teeth
Chipped or damaged teeth are common issues among seniors. Restorative treatments can repair these problems and restore the function and appearance of the teeth. Some common treatments include:
- Dental Bonding: A tooth-colored resin is applied to the damaged area and hardened with a special light, bonding it to the tooth.
- Veneers: Thin shells of porcelain or composite resin are custom-made to cover the front surface of the teeth, improving their appearance.
- Crowns: Dental crowns can also be used to cover and protect chipped or damaged teeth, restoring their shape and function.
Senior dental care is essential for maintaining oral health and overall well-being as we age. Choosing a dental office that specializes in senior care offers numerous advantages that makes it easier to care for and repair your teeth. To learn more about Las Vegas senior dental care, make an appointment at one of our BDG offices in Las Vegas, Laughlin and Henderson, Nevada.
