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Dentistry for SeniorsDentistry for Seniors provided by Dr. Gregory M. Neu, DDS in East Dundee, IL at Neu Family Dental  More senior adults are now living well into their 80s and 90s than at any other time in history. Not only are senior adults living longer, but they are living their lives with most of their teeth intact. Geriatric dentistry is a new and growing field for dentists because seniors have different needs than young adults or adults in midlife. Here is some information from on senior dental needs. Why Senior Adults Are DifferentDry Mouth ManagementThere are several ways senior adult teeth might differ from those of younger adults. First, senior adults may need dry mouth management techniques. Often, seniors do not produce as much saliva as younger people do. Their mouths may also be dry because of medication. It is important to enhance the saliva production of seniors because the saliva helps to flush bacteria responsible for gum disease and cavities out of their mouths. If you are 65 or older, you may want our dentist to perform an oral health assessment to determine if you are producing enough saliva. Oral health assessments can also be used to check to make sure you are not having issues with your bite, tongue, or teeth overall. Dental Care PlanningFor senior adults who are on a fixed income, it is very important to practice preventative dentistry. Dental care planning allows our dentist to develop a plan for caring for your teeth and gums in case you have ongoing issues, such as gum disease. That way, you will know what treatments are coming up and how much they will cost you - if anything - out of pocket. Denture CareMany seniors have either full or partial dentures, and it is important for our dentist to check them every six months to ensure they are still in good working order. Dentures can crack or break over time. Our dentist will also examine your gums and other mouth structures to ensure all is well. Periodontal Care for SeniorsThe older you are, the more likely you are to suffer from gum disease. In fact, over 70 percent of all adults who are 65 and older have gum disease. Gum disease has three stages: mild (gingivitis), which can be treated and cured easily, and moderate to severe (periodontitis), which cannot be cured but can be treated. If you have gingivitis, you are likely to see the signs on your toothbrush or on your floss every time you use them because one of the strongest signs you have gingivitis is bleeding gums. Your gums may also appear swollen, red, or discolored. Gingivitis can be cured by visiting our dentist and brushing and flossing properly. However, people who have periodontitis cannot be cured of the disease. Bacteria cause gum disease in humans. In fact, several strains of bacteria in your mouth can cause bacteria or gum disease. If you have periodontitis, you will have a gum infection that is causing your gum tissue to disappear. It is very important you get treated for your gum disease because untreated gum disease can cause tooth loss, abscesses, inflammation, and infection in other locations throughout your body. Oral Cancer ScreeningIf you used tobacco in the past, even if you have been tobacco-free for a while, you need to talk to our dentist about having an oral cancer screening each time you come in for a checkup. Senior adults face a higher risk for oral cancer, especially if they are still using tobacco or if they drink a lot of alcohol. Adults who have a family history of oral cancer should also think about having an oral cancer screening, even if they have never used tobacco or drank heavily. You may not know it, but our dentist performs an oral cancer screening each time you come in for your semiannual checkup. Dentists look for lumps, bumps, or unhealed sores. If you have a history of risk factors for oral cancer, our dentist may perform additional tests to check for oral cancer. For example, our dentist may use a special light to distinguish cancerous tissue from normal tissue. Dentists also have patients rinse their mouths with a blue drink to cause cancerous tissue to show up dark blue. If our dentist sees suspicious tissue, you will be able to get it treated quickly since early detection is key. Restorative DentistryOne of the best parts of our dental care for senior adults is our ability to restore smiles for people who have missing teeth. Restorative dentistry is a huge part of our practice. If your teeth are missing, you have options for tooth restoration. First, if you have a damaged tooth, our dentist can save your tooth with a dental crown. Crowns are metal caps with a layer of porcelain. A crown protects your tooth from additional damage and will match your tooth color. A crown can cover a discolored tooth so that all of your teeth look alike. If you have more than one tooth missing, you may need prosthodontics - or dental prosthetics - to replace those teeth. People who are missing a few teeth next to each other may need a bridge or dental implants. Bridges can be cemented in between two of your natural teeth or two implanted teeth. They are prosthetic teeth with an acrylic or plastic base. Our dentist can also use bridges as a dental implant. Dental implants will be the closest thing to your natural teeth. Each dental implant consists of dental implant screws that attach directly to your jawbone to anchor your prosthesis. Thanks to dental implants, our dentist can restore your teeth no matter how many teeth you are missing. What Are My Next Steps?If you are looking for a new dentist who specializes in working with senior adults, you need to take a look at our website and read our reviews. Be sure to ask your friends who have senior parents or who are seniors themselves which dentist they go to. Next, you will want to call at (847) 230-9143 to schedule your appointment for a consultation. We cannot wait to meet you! Reach out to us today. |
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573 Dundee Ave East Dundee, IL 60118 
(847) 230-9143 |
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