A Good Time To Be A “Senior!”

May is a great month for seniors! Many high school students are getting ready for graduation, excited about prom, and looking forward to their upcoming freedom. College seniors are reminiscing about their years of hard work and getting ready to graduate and join the “real world”.

It is also a great month for senior citizens. No matter what your definition of senior citizen is – AARP membership is available to people age 50 and older – there is no question that today’s seniors are healthier and more active than ever before, and can expect to live many years past retirement.

Seniors have their own set of dental health issues that need to be addressed. Here are some common topics we discuss with our senior patients at Roselle Park Dental.

Getting to the “root” of the problem.

When gums recede, the root surface of the tooth is exposed. This area is much more porous than tooth enamel and thus more prone to cavities. Fluoride application and frequent dental visits can help control this difficult to treat problem.

Are you sensitive?

The same areas that are exposed when gums recede can be very sensitive to hot, cold, sweets, and more. A specialized toothpaste such as Sensodyne may help. Be sure to consult us if the problem persists.

It feels like the Sahara Desert in here!

As a person ages, salivary flow can decrease, and many medications also can cause dry mouth. Make sure you stay properly hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. (Sorry – not alcoholic beverages which can lead to even more dryness!) We can recommend specific products and rinses to help alleviate the discomfort.

What does that have to do with it?

Believe it or not, many health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer can affect your oral health. Please be sure to review your current medical conditions with us so that we can make any proper recommendations.

Be true to your teeth or they’ll be false to you!

In the old days it was assumed that aging meant the loss of teeth. Fortunately these days, especially with the help of regular dental visits, that simply isn’t true. But if you have lost some or all of your teeth, the options these days are better than ever. People of any age should be able to eat comfortably, speak normally, and smile attractively!