Dentistry For Seniors
What Does Dentistry for Seniors Entail at Annex Dentistry?
I. Dental History Assessment
Our dentistry for seniors service in Toronto begins with a thorough assessment of a patient’s medical history. It is often revealed at the new patient consultation that a medical issue is directly affecting the teeth. Together with a complete oral exam, we can formulate the best treatment approach for our seniors
Aging comes with unique oral health and wellness problems. Some medical conditions common among seniors (such as arthritis) can make it difficult to brush and floss properly. Some medications can also cause oral health issues: antidepressants and antihistamines are among the medication known to reduce saliva production in the mouth, which causes dry mouth and increases tooth decay risks.
For this reason, we will focus our assessment on understanding every condition and medication our patients might have and their possible connection to dental health problems. The second part of our assessment will be focused on the patient’s relevant information: when was their last dental appointment, if they have a specific reason for booking that last appointment, frequency of dental visits, recent changes in the mouth, difficulty chewing, swallowing, and tasting. We also ask senior patients with dentures, dental implants, or other dental fixtures about their experience. For instance, our assessment will focus on when a patient takes their dentures out, how they clean them, if they cause any irritation, their oral health care routine, personal health, etc.
II. Dental Exam
The dental history assessment is followed by the dental exam. During a senior’s dental exam, we check for:
- Loose and sensitive teeth
- Pain, sores, bleeding, or discomfort in the mouth
- Noticeable bumps, lumps, and swelling
- Neck and skin discolouration
- Bite issues. Jaw popping and clicking and how a patient’s teeth come together when they open/close their mouth.
- Signs of ulcers, infection, or traumatic injury on the tongue’s surface, mouth floor, and inner cheeks
- Gum disease and related conditions (for signs of oral cancer or other infections).
This is a summary of what can happen during a dental exam for seniors here at Annex Dentistry. We may do more or less in an examination depending on the patient and their dental health issue.
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Dental Procedures for Seniors
Annex Dentistry is proud to offer a variety of dental services for seniors that fall under general or cosmetic procedures (restorative services). They include:
- Dentures: We can install dentures to restore a patient’s chewing abilities and a natural, confident appearance. We can also retire basic dentures and make new, better-fitting ones for you.
- Dental implants: Seniors who have loose teeth due to gum conditions, tooth injury, or decay can get their missing or damaged teeth replaced by dental implants, which resemble real teeth in appearance, feel, and function.
- Dental bridges: Senior patients with a missing tooth or teeth can consider having dental bridges (partial dentures) to restore their natural appearance.
- Dental crowns: We can restore damaged/broken teeth with fractures, deep cavities, and chipping using dental crowns. This is a great alternative for seniors who don’t want to lose their real teeth.
- Dental fillings: We also offer composite dental filling services for seniors looking to fix cavities. We can remove amalgam fillings installed years before and replace them with (amalgam-free) composite fillings that are safe and resemble natural teeth.
- Teeth whitening: We can also treat teeth discolouration and darkening, which is common as you grow older.
- Teeth cleaning for seniors: Patients who have trouble brushing or flossing regularly due to age or health problems like arthritis can seek regular cleaning services at Annex Dentistry.
- Custom dental treatment for seniors: We also customize treatment plans for seniors that may require multiple treatments. Additionally, we can arrange highly specialized treatment with other service providers for dental problems linked to other health problems like dry mouth, thrush, oral cancer, diabetes, or other chronic diseases.
Seniors face unique dental health problems, but there is no need to worry. Here at Annex Dentistry, we understand what these problems are and are fully equipped to treat them. Most importantly, we maintain the highest standards of professionalism and compassion when offering dental services for seniors. If we see the need for specialized treatment, follow-up treatment, or other medical needs, we are happy to offer our professional opinion and recommendation. We are wheelchair accessible with onsite complimentary parking making navigating to our office a pleasant experience.
For more information on dentistry for seniors in Toronto or dental care in general, feel free to contact us, You can also call us at 416-962-4022, or send us an email at [email protected].