Do Seniors Require Special Dental Care?

Senior dental care has the potential to save our patients time and money by preventing dental problems or treating them early before they require extensive and potentially costly treatment at our office. Patients who are 65 and over are at increased risk for a wide range of age-related dental problems due to lifestyle factors, daily wear and tear on the teeth, and more.

Enamel Wear

The cumulative effects of wear on enamel leave teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay. Once teeth fully develop, they cannot heal on their own. More than 90 percent of seniors have one or more cavities, according to the National Institutes of Health. Enamel wear is also a factor that leads to teeth appearing yellowish in color.

Medication Side Effects

Medications are another factor. Seniors are more likely to take medications that can cause dry mouth (xerostomia). Dry mouth results from inhibited saliva production. Most seniors who have dry mouth are aware of the sensation of having a mouth that does not feel properly lubricated. Saliva performs an important function by balancing the pH levels in your mouth and washing away bacteria.

During your visit to our practice, let Dr. Bixby know if you periodically or frequently experience dry mouth symptoms. He can recommend new habits that can reduce your symptoms. Some patients can benefit from asking their primary care doctor for an alternative medication.

Misfitting Restorations or Prosthetics

A loss, worn, or misfitting prosthetic can lead to jaw pain and other problems. Poor-fitting bridges and dentures are also a common cause of gum disease among senior patients. To ensure that your jaw alignment is not suffering from poorly fitting restorations, Dr. Bixby will check the stability of any fillings, crowns, bridges, or dentures that you may have.

Dr. Bixby has 20 years of experience and can treat concerns that are common among seniors using affordable and minimally invasive treatments.

No prosthetic lasts forever. If your prosthetic is no longer functioning properly, Dr. Bixby may recommend that you replace your crown, bridge, or denture before it causes serious dental problems.

Insurance and Financing

To ensure that these restorative procedures are affordable, Dr. Bixby works with many insurance plans (preferred providers for Delta Dental and Aetna) and also accepts all major credit cards and personal checks. A member of our dental team will be glad to let you know about our financing plans. As a courtesy to our valued patients, we also offer payment plans.