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Geriatric Dentistry Q & A

What is geriatric dentistry?

Geriatric dentistry is an area of dental practice focused on providing dental care to people in their retirement years and beyond. Your dental needs, just like overall health needs, shift and change as you move through the phases of life. 

Dentists who specialize in geriatric dentistry receive additional training on how to care for dental needs specific to older men and women. Not every dentist offers these services, so those who make it a prominent part of their practice tend to enjoy working with older people.

 

How are geriatric dental needs unique?

People in retirement and beyond have the same basic dental health needs as people of any age. However, they also have additional needs that aren’t always part of routine preventive dentistry.

To begin, many older Americans are taking multiple medications for one or more medical conditions. Some of those drugs can interact negatively with medications used during common dental procedures. Collecting a comprehensive review of each patient’s medications and supplements is an important part of geriatric dentistry. 

Statistically, the older you get, the more likely you are to have cavities, gum disease, or endodontic issues (affecting the inner chamber and tooth canals). Dry mouth is also a concern for many older men and women and can complicate dental health.   

For those who replace missing teeth, full or partial dentures and dental implants offer solutions. 

 

When should I begin geriatric dentistry services?

There’s not a clearcut age when someone needs to seek out geriatric dentistry services. In general, many men and women begin benefiting from these services between the ages of 60-70.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a family dentist who also offers geriatric services includes having easy access to this specialized area of dentistry when the time comes. When you continue to work with the dentist, you already know and trust, you have far less stress when compared to having to find a new dental provider. 

If you have additional questions about geriatric dentistry, call Dr. David’s Family Dentistry and Orthodontics to schedule a face-to-face consultation. You can also book online, which takes very little time to complete.