Mouths, like people, are
affected by years as well as by genes. If you're over 60, your oral chemistry
is changing—and thorough examinations of gums and salivary glands can be a
lifesaving early detector of oral cancer or other disease. Older Americans are
becoming a larger segment of our population and suffer disproportionately from
oral diseases, with the problem being particularly acute for individuals
in long term care facilities. They
generally require multiple medications, and common side effects of
the more than 500 medications used to treat their overall health
issues usually reduce salivary flow.[1] Usually the reduction in saliva can
adversely affect their quality of life, the ability to chew, and lead to
significant problems of the teeth and their supporting structures.
The elderly may also have difficulty
performing routine oral hygiene procedures because of physical
limitations, such as Parkinson’s or rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, oral infection is
now recognized as a risk factor for a number of systemic diseases,
including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes,
mellitus, and respiratory disorders.
Also, it is important to note that once people have lost
their teeth and are using complete dentures, their oral health needs
do not decrease. Our jaws are not
static and may continue to resorb over time. Besides the continued resorption of bone,
improperly fitted dentures can adversely affect chewing, leading to
poor nutrition. In addition, those
without teeth remain susceptible to oral cancer, mucosal diseases,
and alterations in salivary gland function.
As early as 55, patients
are developing twice as many cavities as children do. All these health issues
and their medications that create reduced saliva and cause dry mouth have
become an open invitation for tooth decay and periodontal disease. Does the
patient have to make a choice between his or her general health verses their
oral hygiene? They shouldn’t have to.
What should you expect
from a visit to your dental hygienist? Along with your dental cleaning you may need
professional scaling and root planing to remove harmful
plaque and calculus deposits. Your
hygienist should also record the depths of your periodontal pockets (that space
between your teeth and gums where decay and periodontal disease flourish).
Keeping track of you is
a key part of the hygienist's job. It includes keeping your dental chart and
health history current, making preliminary oral inspections, and creating tooth
impressions.
Your hygienist is also
an educator—someone who can teach you preventive dentistry skills—brushing and
flossing techniques that make for healthy, trouble-free gums and teeth, regardless
your age or your onset of other health issues. Together, you two can make an
unbeatable team!
Specializing in Geriatric Patients, Dr. Scheinfeld was trained in prosthodontics at Emory University School of Dentistry.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive,
200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs),
GA 30328
404-256-3620
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(therightsmile.wordpress.com)
[1] Fox PC,
Eversole LR. Diseases of the salivary glands. In: Silverman S, Eversole LR,
Truelove EL, eds. Essentials of Oral
Medicine. Ontario, Canada: BC Decker; 2002:260–276.
