Continuing Your Dental Care as a Senior

As we get older, we have many health concerns. Among these concerns is oral health. Gum disease and tooth decay are just a reality for seniors. Something such as a cavity may not seem like a big deal when you are in your teens, but as you get older, problems such as this can dramatically affect your overall health in a very negative way.

If you have not been to the dentist in some time, he or she will likely want to sit down and talk about your overall oral health history in recent years. Some questions you should be prepared to answer are:

1. Have you had any problems in recent weeks or months chewing your food?
2. Are you noticing difficulty in actually tasting your food?
3. Is swallowing becoming more difficult?
4. Have you noticed any bleeding when brushing or flossing?
5. Have you seen any sores in your mouth or tongue?
6. Are any parts of your mouth tender to the touch?
7. Have you noticed unnatural swelling in any areas of your mouth?
8. Are you experiencing excessive sensitivity with your teeth?
9. Have you noticed any teeth that seem as though they are coming loose?
10. What was the date and purpose of your last dental visit?

As you can see, most of the questions listed are asked to try to find problems you may be experiencing with your oral health. Answer these questions truthfully if there are problems so your dentist can work with you to correct them ASAP before they grow into something more severe that can affect your overall well-being.

Preventive Dental Care for Seniors

As a senior, you need to ensure your oral health remains at the top of your priority list. As we stated earlier, something seemingly as insignificant as a new sore or soreness in your mouth may be an early warning sign of a more severe problem.

Senior Dental Checklist

• Make sure you continue your regular oral health program of brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
• Consider using a specialty or electronic toothbrush.
• Talk to your dentist about the warning signs of problems. He or she can make you aware of the “little” things that may not appear serious but are actually signs of more serious problems developing.
• While two visits is adequate during your younger years, your dentist may recommend quarterly checkups for better preventive care.
• Some seniors have problems brushing their teeth. If this is the case, discuss different oral care techniques with your dentist that can substitute for brushing and flossing.

If you are delaying your next dental visit due to lack of insurance, the Wellness Dental Plan may be for you! Our plans can save subscribers as much as 20 percent off their regular dental billings. For more information, please click here.

*Photo Courtesy of Ann via Creative Commons License