Monthly Archives: November 2019
Monthly Archives: November 2019
People often assume that as you get older, tooth loss is inevitable. However, that perception is largely inaccurate. With advances in dental care, an increasing number of patients are able to keep their natural smiles well into their senior years. However, older patients do face certain oral health risks, so it’s important to do everything possible to prevent oral diseases and monitor your teeth and gums for them so that you can seek treatment promptly. A partnership with a knowledgeable dentist and adequate home oral hygiene habits will go a long way in helping you to protect your smile as you age. Oral Health Risks Associated With Aging As patients get older, they face an increased risk of gum disease. Furthermore, older adults are more likely to have certain general health conditions that appear to have some correlation with oral health, such as diabetes. Some health issues, such as arthritis or dementia, may also interfere with an older adult’s ability to perform important oral hygiene tasks, like brushing teeth or flossing. This can increase the risk of oral diseases, as well. Older adults also tend to take more medications, which can have side effects like dry mouth. Maintaining adequate saliva levels is essential to the oral cavity’s ability to limit the proliferation of disease-causing oral bacteria. How To Protect Your Teeth And Gums As You Age To reduce your risk of oral diseases as you get older, it’s essential to see a dentist at least twice a year for exams and cleanings and to practice good oral hygiene habits at home. A dentist with expertise in treating geriatric patients will complete a comprehensive evaluation that assesses for the multiple factors that can affect an older adult’s oral health. A plan can then be developed for the patient to get adequate professional and home care. At a minimum, make sure that you are brushing twice each day, for two minutes at a time, and flossing daily. Keep an eye out for signs of early stage gum disease, like redness, bleeding or swelling of the gums, and reach out to us if you notice any concerning symptoms.If you are an older adult who is due for an exam or cleaning, contact our office to schedule an appointment. We want to help you do everything possible to preserve your smile!
Patients who consult with a cosmetic dentist to improve the appearance of their smiles want to get results that look natural and lifelike. Many cosmetic interventions can be used in order to achieve this goal. Your provider will work diligently to make sure that all treatments used in your case result in a realistic aesthetic, so that the treated teeth will be indistinguishable from your biological ones. Each case’s treatment plan is customized to best meet that patient’s needs. Cosmetic Dentistry Interventions That Enhance Your Smile After assessing your case and discussing your smile goals with you, the cosmetic dentist may recommend one of the following interventions to help you get the smile of your dreams: At-home teeth whitening: The patient wears custom-designed trays containing bleaching gel for a specified period of time over the course of several days. The custom-designed trays achieve maximum effectiveness of the treatment, leaving the teeth 8-10 shades whiter. Porcelain veneers: Thin, tooth-shaped shells made of porcelain are bonded atop the biological teeth to conceal defects like chips, cracks and deep stains that don’t respond to whitening. Composite fillings: Cavities are filled using tooth-colored composite materials that blend in with the rest of the smile. Composite fillings can be used to address new cavities or replace older dark metal fillings that detract from the smile. Porcelain crowns: Tooth-shaped caps are placed on top of a natural tooth that has been severely damaged by decay or injury. Porcelain crowns are used to restore both the structural integrity and appearance of teeth. These interventions can be used individually or in combination, depending on the patient’s needs. Tailoring The Treatment Process For Natural Results A cosmetic dentist blends science and art in their work, allowing them to provide restorations and other treatments that mimic the appearance of the biological teeth in the smile. For example, your dentist can customize the shade of porcelain veneers or a porcelain crown to match its natural neighbors. Similarly, the materials used in composite fillings can be adjusted to blend in with the shade of your enamel. Additionally, porcelain veneers and crowns are crafted based specifically on the unique structure of your teeth, which is provided to the dental lab by your dentist. Therefore, they will be proportionate in size and shape, as well as shade. To learn more about our cosmetic treatments and what kind of results can be expected in your case, call the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan to schedule a consultation.
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