At Boroondara Dental, we offer a caring and respectful environment to the elderly with wheelchair access and longer appointment times if necessary. We take the extra time required with older people so they fully understand their needs and expectations and prescribe treatment solutions that are in their best interests.
Common dental issues for seniors include:
Gum Disease: Periodontal disease is prevalent among seniors due to factors like reduced saliva production, medication side effects, and poor oral hygiene.
Tooth Decay: Seniors may experience increased tooth decay due to factors like dry mouth, dietary changes, and age-related wear and tear on teeth.
Tooth Loss: Seniors are more likely to experience tooth loss due to factors like untreated gum disease, decay, and age-related changes in the jawbone.
Dry Mouth: Many seniors experience dry mouth due to medications, medical conditions, or reduced saliva production, which can lead to an increased risk of decay and gum disease.
Oral Cancer: The risk of oral cancer increases with age, making regular dental check-ups essential for early detection and treatment.
Denture Problems: Seniors with dentures may experience issues like poor fit, discomfort, and difficulty chewing, leading to oral health problems if not addressed.
Root Decay: Receding gums and exposed tooth roots can increase the risk of root decay in seniors.
Regular dental check-ups at Boroondara Dental, good oral hygiene practices, and lifestyle modifications can help prevent or manage these common dental issues in seniors.
Dry Mouth
As we get older, the number of medications we are taking increases for a variety of health conditions. Dry mouth can be attributed to many medications but can also be caused by stress, anxiety, smoking, excessive coffee consumption and dehydration.
For some patients, dry mouth is an ongoing and concerning condition that can range from mild to severe, causing discomfort, difficulty with speech, eating and swallowing, whilst having a substantial negative impact on your oral health.
Saliva is one of the most important aspects for maintaining good oral health. It neutralises acid produced from eating and drinking, forms a protective barrier on your tooth enamel and contains natural antibacterial properties to control the bacteria within your mouth, it can also help to reverse the early stages of tooth decay. A lack of saliva or saliva of poor quality can make teeth more vulnerable to plaque build-up, decay and gum disease. It can also be the cause of bad breath (halitosis).
The most common causes of dry mouth can be linked to a vast number of prescribed as well as over-the-counter medications including:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Anticholinergics
- Antihypertensive
- Diuretics
- Antipsychotics
Other causes of dry mouth can include
- Radiotherapy to the head and neck
- Chemotherapy
- Diabetes
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Hypertension
- Kidney dialysis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Parkinsons disease
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Lupus disease
If you experience dry mouth, are undergoing radiotherapy treatment or have constant bad breath, you should schedule an appointment at Boroondara Dental on (03) 9817 5001 today for an assessment.