Dental health for seniors
Special needs for seniors
As we get older, our dental
needs become increasingly specialized.
Becasue our dental needs
may be different than they once were,
regular visits to the dentist ae essential.
Although many seniors wear dentures, adult
tooth loss is often a result of preventable
oral disease and not a result of athe
aging process.
Many seniors affected
by medical conditions take medications
that can adversely interact with dental
anesthesia. That is why it's important
to keep your dentist informed of any changes
or updates in your medical history to
prevent potentially harmful drug interactions
or changing health conditions. Many medications
also can cause a decrease in saliva production,
resulting in dry mouth, which can lead
to dental decay and eventually tooth loss.
Proper denture care
Wearing dentures doesn't
mean you can stop paying attention to
your oral health. In fact, dental care
is imperative when you wear full or partial
dentures, contributing to greater comfort
and better denture fit.
Daily denture care
The following techniques
explain how to best clean plaque and food
deposits from your dentures and mouth.
1) Rinse
Rinse mouth thoroughly
with water to remove any loose food particles.
2) Brush
With a special toothbrush
that conforms to the shape of your dentures,
brush thoroughly, but not so hard that
you damage plastic parts or bend metal
clasps. Specific denture-cleaning toothpastes
are preferable to conventional pastes,
which may be too abrasive. Never use bleach,
as it may alter your dentures' color or
corrode metal parts.
3) Soak
Unless your dentist recommends
otherwise, remove your dentures overnight
to allow gums to rest. Dentures must be
kept moist when not in your mouth, or
they may lose their shape. Soak in denture-cleansing
solution for the solution's suggested
time period (any longer may tarnish metal
parts). Never soak dentures in hot water,
as they could warp.
4) Reinsert
Always handle dentures
over a folded towel or a wash basin half-full
of water -- even a short fall can break
the denture base or a tooth. Before reinserting,
brush gums, tongue and the roof of your
mouth with a soft-bristled brush to remove
plaque and stimulate circulation.
Having a dental plan
In order to avoid oral
diseases and maintain natural teeth, seniors
ddpca_testshould receive regular dental care.
Delta Dental of California offers a senior
dental plan that addresses the special
needs of seniors. For
more information and a list of dentists
who participate in this program, please
click here.
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