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At Landmark Dental Group, we believe in dental health for the whole family.

Elders have special dental concerns that should be checked on by dentists who see geriatric patients in their practice at least twice a year. Older people are more likely to run into issues with both their teeth and gums. But why is that, exactly?

Tooth enamel may seem very hard, but it’s actually porous and relatively thin. As we age, the enamel starts to thin out even in otherwise healthy teeth. This can lead to symptoms like sensitivity to heat and cold. Plus, it makes cavities more likely.

Gums also need to be proactively protected in the golden years. Gum tissue will naturally recede from the teeth over time, so the gums can become more vulnerable to damage and infection. Teeth that are fully intact can still get loose and need restoration, too.

How Often Should Elders Visit a Geriatric Dentist?

In general, people aged 55 and older should schedule two appointments with their dentist each year. You should set up more frequent appointments if you notice symptoms or have an active dental concern that should be checked on regularly.

Be sure to contact a geriatric dentist for any of these issues:

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, takes place when natural production of saliva is hindered. Saliva helps defend teeth against bacteria and maintain the pH balance of your mouth, so it should be treated whenever it arises. Although dry mouth is often caused by medications, it can also be relieved with medicine, certain mouthwashes, and even some sugarless gums.

Root Caries

Dental caries are familiar to just about everyone – they’re cavities. But did you know root caries can also take place? Root caries can happen when decay in the front surface of the teeth damages nearby gum tissue. Gum tissue can recede below the enamel line and may pull sharply away from the tooth surface. Prompt treatment is important to protect the tooth.

Tooth Attrition

Thanks to ordinary contact between teeth, tooth surfaces can wear down over time. Sometimes, this causes intermittent pain. It can also make cracking and chipping more likely. An occasional x-ray is important for monitoring the structural integrity of teeth. If you habitually grind your teeth, geriatric dentists may be able to help you minimize damage.

Easier Dental Care with Trusted Geriatric Dentists in Santa Cruz

Let’s face it: No one wants to sit in a dentist’s office all day long, and many people are wary of dental procedures that might be uncomfortable. At Landmark Dental Group, we make treatment easy, efficient, and affordable. We want you to feel comfortable every step of the way.

For those with dental anxiety, we offer safe and easy sedation dentistry. You can have a pleasant nap while we take care of everything. We pride our practice on being insurance-friendly, too, so it’s as easy as it can be to use your dental benefits. We even offer a senior discount.

To find out more, contact Landmark Dental Group.

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While many people are born with diabetes, others develop it later in life. Diabetes is a chronic illness that stems from the body’s inability to produce or utilize insulin, a substance that helps turn sugars in food into fuel.

In the wake of a diabetes diagnosis, people often have many questions. What many don’t suspect is that dental health is important in diabetes. Likewise, a Santa Cruz dentist is a key member of your diabetes wellness team.

The Unexpected Connection Between Diabetes and Oral Health

Although most people think about blood sugar and liver health when they hear “diabetes,” it actually has a number of effects all throughout the body. Many of these can be controlled using proactive approaches to optimal health – but others remain as ongoing concerns.

One of them is dental health.

People with diabetes have a tendency to have impaired blood circulation in the extremities. One drawback of this condition is that it takes longer for many superficial wounds to heal. When you are injured, blood flow should naturally increase in the damaged area to support recovery.

For those with diabetes, healing takes place, but not usually as quickly as a typical non-sufferer.

That being the case, those with diabetes need to be careful to avoid situations where they might risk superficial wounds to the extremities. Special shoes have been designed to protect the feet, for example – and they should also be cautious about dental health.

With diabetes, the minor abrasions from brushing too hard can take a long time to heal.

In a more serious situation, gingivitis – a mild inflammation of the gums – can progress more easily into full-blown gum disease because it is more difficult for the periodontal tissue to carry a rich blood supply to the teeth. Gums can recede and teeth may fall out.

Your Santa Cruz Dentist Can Support Robust Health For Diabetes Sufferers

With all this in mind, it’s important to set regular appointments with your Santa Cruz dentist.

Your dentist can help you maintain your teeth and keep an eye out for problems that might otherwise go unnoticed, including cavities and infections. The sooner treatment begins, the more likely it is that problems will be resolved quickly.

To keep your teeth and gums healthy with diabetes, always remember:

• Infections and other complications are less likely in those who do not smoke;
• Controlling your glucose levels is essential to protecting your teeth and gums;
• You should strive to brush teeth at least twice and floss at least once every day;
• If dentures are used, remember to remove them at night and clean them daily.

While the average adult might plan to see the dentist only once a year, it’s best to schedule at least two visits a year – once every six months. That’s true both for people who have chronic conditions that affect dental health and for elders over age 55.

Landmark Dental Group can protect your smile even through diabetes.

To find out more, contact us today.

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Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem – but did you know family dentists have been helping patients with this issue for years?

It’s been decades since halitosis – persistent bad breath – was recognized as a serious dental issue by dentists. Although bad breath by itself does not cause any severe health problems, it can be a sign of one.

There are three main causes of halitosis family dentists encounter:

Bad Breath Cause #1: Dental Hygiene Issues

One of the most important ways to defend yourself against bad breath is to brush your teeth regularly.

If you are brushing at least twice a day, but still notice you have issues with bad breath, start by adding one more brushing session to your daily routine. If this helps, but the issue doesn’t go away completely, look at your flossing schedule.

When bad breath seems to come out of nowhere, the culprit may be food particles between teeth. Bacteria feed on these, causing odors. Without flossing, bits of food can remain in teeth for days.

As your toothbrush gets older, it’s less effective at removing bacteria and food particles. It can also start to irritate your gums more easily. Replace it regularly as the bristles get worn down.

Bad Breath Cause #2: Diet

Diet is a major factor in breath – for obvious and not-so-obvious reasons!

First, you could simply be eating things with a pungent odor, like onions and garlic. Brushing your teeth within 30 minutes of eating these foods usually resolves breath issues. However, that’s not the only thing to watch out for on the menu!

Generally, diets high in sugar are more likely to cause bad breath.

Many cases of bad breath are caused by bacteria in the mouth as it attempts to colonize the teeth. These bacteria flourish when given access to sugar, facilitating faster growth of dental plaque. Ultimately, tooth decay can result.

By cutting some sweet treats out of your meals, you may improve your breath.

Proteins, including red meat, can also provoke sour breath.

Bad Breath Cause #3: Injury & Illness

Bad breath with no other obvious cause can be the result of tooth decay or gum disease. However, these conditions rarely progress far enough to cause changes in the breath without other symptoms, including bleeding, discoloration, and pain.

Any type of injury or surgical wound in the mouth can cause bad breath during the healing process. Follow the instructions of your doctor or dentist to ensure these are taken care of so they can heal naturally.

A number of infections can cause lesions, sores, or other problems in and around the mouth. These may cause bad breath until resolved. Some conditions affect the breath even if there are no other oral or dental symptoms.

Halitosis? Contact Your Trusted Family Dentists

Bad breath can be an annoyance. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but you should look into it to rule out any serious problems. Contact Landmark Dental Group to get to the bottom of it.

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Geriatric dentists agree: As people age, they are more likely to experience tooth problems.

Why? The soft tissue of the gums recedes over time, so it is even more important to take care of dental health. With the right practices and help from your local geriatric dentists, however, you can prevent tooth loss at all stages of life.

Geriatric Dentistry Helps Solve Common Tooth Care Problems

Elderly people can face all the same tooth care issues others do: Things like sensitivity to hot and cold, risk of decay or cavities, and more. However, there are also some things they should be especially alert about to increase quality of life.

Elders and Dry Mouth

Dry mouth may seem like an inconvenience, but it actually has a significant effect on dental health. Saliva is necessary to maintain the mouth’s pH balance – which, in turn, helps prevent bacteria from colonizing teeth and stops acidic food from damaging enamel.

Sometimes, the issue can be resolved with medication. For most sufferers, however, special treatment may not be necessary. Chewing sugarless gum stimulates saliva production. Chewing between meals can curb dry mouth and might protect against the accumulation of plaque.

Elders and Decay Between Teeth

With age, it may become more difficult to practice some dental hygiene tasks. Particularly, many older people report problems flossing between teeth. While there is no replacement for flossing, there is one thing that can complement it: Anti-bacterial mouthwash.

Like sugarless gum, mouthwash is a useful tool that can be easily overlooked. Since it can penetrate between teeth, it helps maintain dental health when one cannot floss often. A water-based flosser or interdental pick should still be used to clean debris from teeth.

Elders and Gingivitis

Millions of people suffer from gingivitis, the early form of gum disease. In many cases, the signs of this problem are so subtle, it might go unnoticed until you visit your dentist. However, it can lead to severe infection and tooth loss.

In recent years, geriatric dentists and other experts have concluded that promoting blood circulation in the gums is one of the most important things brushing does. To get these benefits, you don’t even need to use toothpaste, which many elders find irritating.

Gently massaging the gums with a wet toothbrush twice a day may be effective in helping prevent gingivitis, but you should still use toothpaste as frequently as you feel comfortable with.

Landmark Dental Group Provides Geriatric Dentists You Can Trust

At any age, seeing a dentist is essential to maintaining the health of your teeth. Everyone should plan to see a dentist at least once every year. If you’ve suffered chronic dental issues or worry they might develop, visit a dentist at least twice a year.

Landmark Dental Group is happy to help Santa Cruz patients of all ages with their dental health. We offer a comfortable, professional environment where you can get your questions answered and address to your dental needs under one roof.

To learn more, contact us.