An Implant Dentist Helps Seniors

As a local Implant Dentist, we help senior citizens to maintain their oral health and the full functionality of their teeth.  Over seventy percent of U.S. adults will lose some or all of their teeth.  This is a staggering number that demonstrates the importance of ongoing dental care.  By visiting the dentist twice a year and practicing good at home care, you may be able to prevent tooth loss.

Fortunately, modern dental technology has made it possible for seniors to maintain the full functionality of their teeth.  In the past, tooth loss meant that you had two options – dentures or having a missing tooth.  Seniors that could afford it would typically choose to wear dentures, however, they can be uncomfortable. Even modern dentures can pop out or float in your mouth while eating or speaking.  Implant technology solves this problem.

As an Implant Dentist, we offer a variety of ways for seniors to replace the teeth they have lost.  Here are some popular options.

Full Dental Implants

This procedure replaces each missing tooth, and its root system, individually.  We implant a metal piece underneath the gum line and secure it to your jaw bone.  The metal piece and jaw bone fuse together, creating an extremely strong synthetic root.  Once healed, a second metal piece is attached to the first at the surface of your gum line, and a new synthetic tooth is attached to it.  This is ideal for patients that are missing teeth in random areas throughout their mouth.  It can be used to replace all of your teeth or specific teeth and new ones can be added at any time.  Once in place you care for them like a normal tooth and can eat all of your favorite foods.

Implants and Dentures

One of the common complaints with dentures is that they pop out.  Simultaneously, replacing each tooth individually takes more time.  We can replace entire sections of your teeth using a combination of the two technologies.  Dentures are created in a lab and instead of popping them in and out at night, they can be permanently secured to your jaw bone.   Using a metal implant, they can be either screwed into your jaw bone so that they stay in place permanently, or the dentures can attach to a metal implant, allowing you to remove them when you want to.  Both options are more stable and secure than traditional dentures and allow you to eat, drink, and speak, without fear of their coming out.

During your initial consultation, we will evaluate the health of your gums and discuss the various ways to replace your missing teeth.  We will make recommendations based on your lifestyle and timeframe for when you want the procedure to be completed.  As an Implant Dentist we pride ourselves in providing solutions for patients.  There is no one size fits all answer.  Instead, our recommendations are based on our patient’s needs and wishes.  By working together, we can create a treatment plan with extraordinary results. 

Visiting the Dentist While Pregnant

You should visit the dentist twice during your pregnancy to have your teeth examined and cleaned.  When you are pregnant, the hormonal changes put you at greater risk of developing gum disease and cavities.  This can be prevented by having your dental office remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gum line.  Your body is working hard to create a child, untreated oral health issues are an unnecessary complication.

Many medical professionals believe that the healthier you are during pregnancy; the healthier your baby will be when they are born and throughout early life.  There are steps you can take to be as healthy as possible including visiting your medical doctor regularly and having your teeth cleaned.  We also recommend that you eat and drink the additional nutrients you need to stay in good health.  This includes loading up on calcium, water, green leafy vegetables, fruits, protein, and more. You should also take a calcium supplement along with your prenatal vitamins to keep your teeth and bones strong both during and after pregnancy.

As a dentist, we get calls from pregnant women wondering if seeing the dentist is safe during pregnancy. It is absolutely safe.  We do ask that patients inform us of their pregnancy so that we can make appropriate adjustments to their treatment plan.  We will not use anything or do anything that could be harmful to your or your child.  Instead, teeth cleanings will actually help you and your child to be in better health.  Our office is safe, family friendly, and comfortable.  Our staff will walk you through the process and answer any questions that you may have so that you can feel relaxed during your dental treatments.

We recommend that during your pregnancy you pay extra attention to your oral healthy by brushing after every meal and flossing daily. This will remove most of the bacteria and plaque that tries to form in your mouth.  As an additional precaution, you should rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash daily.  This will kill much of the bacteria that remains.  As a final precaution, having your teeth cleaned will remove plaque and tartar that you were unable to remove on your own.  These steps will help to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease from forming.

After Your Baby is Born

We also treat children.  When your baby is born, we can become the dental care provider that your entire family sees.  This is both convenient and provides continuity of care that can help your family to stay healthy throughout the years.

When your baby starts to form their first tooth, you should buy a rubber toothbrush and use it on their gums and teeth.  The pressure will provide relief from pain and it will keep their teeth and gums healthy.  As they grow, you can use a child toothbrush and toothpaste.  An electric one will make the job even easier.  Once you baby has turned one year old you should bring them in for their first trip to the dentist.  Practicing good oral health now will help them stay healthy into adulthood.