Senior Periodontal Care and the Challenges Aging Presents

If you’re a senior looking to maintain or restore your gum health, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us. Our team will work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan that considers your age, overall health, and dental history. With our skilled care and advanced procedures, you can look forward to enjoying a vibrant, healthy smile for many more years to come.

The Importance of Periodontal Care

You might be thinking, “What’s all the fuss about periodontal care?” Well, your gums play a huge role in your overall health. By holding your teeth in place, they provide a foundation for your teeth. When your gums are healthy, you’re less likely to experience tooth loss, bad breath, or other dental issues.

Good periodontal health is a lifelong commitment, but it becomes even more vital as we age. For seniors, periodontal care is not just about preserving teeth; it’s about improving the quality of life in your golden years. Healthy gums can make it easier to eat your favorite foods, speak clearly, and smile confidently.

Gum Disease and Your Health

If left unchecked, gum disease can have far-reaching consequences that go beyond oral health. Research shows a strong connection between gum disease and various systemic conditions, including heart disease and the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. The chronic inflammation associated with gum disease has been linked to conditions like diabetes, respiratory diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Periodontal Challenges Experienced by Older Adults

Aging gracefully has its many perks, but it can also present unique challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining good oral health. One of the primary issues seniors face is gum recession. As we get older, our gum tissues naturally recede and start to expose the tooth’s roots. This can lead to increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and a greater risk of tooth decay.

The risk of periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, also tends to increase with age. These conditions can result in gum inflammation, bleeding, and even tooth loss. The key is early detection and proactive management.

Before and After: After toothloss and dentures replaced with advanced dental implants

The Need for Customized Treatment Planning

When it comes to senior periodontal care, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. At The Center for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy, Dr. Krivitsky and Dr. Aalam embrace the importance of customized treatment planning for older adults. Each patient’s needs and concerns are unique to their oral anatomy, and their age plays a role in determining the most appropriate care plan.

Customization can involve personalizing the treatment to accommodate other health conditions seniors may face, such as diabetes or heart disease. It also means factoring in the patient’s dental history and previous periodontal procedures. By addressing individual needs, we make sure our senior patients receive the best possible care.

Other Dental Challenges Aging Presents

While periodontal care is a top priority for seniors, other dental challenges often accompany the aging process. Let’s take a look at a few of these issues:

1. Tooth Wear: Over time, our teeth naturally wear down, and it can lead to changes in your bite and increased sensitivity. Regular dental check-ups can help identify issues before they become painful problems.
2. Dry Mouth: Many seniors experience dry mouth, which can be caused by medications or health conditions. Saliva plays a crucial role in protecting teeth, so managing dry mouth is essential.
3. Dental Work: Seniors may have dental work such as crowns, bridges, dentures. These require care and maintenance to ensure they continue to serve you well.
4. Darkening Teeth: As we age, our teeth can become discolored. Our teeth whitening treatments can help restore a bright smile.

Periodontal Procedures at The Center for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy

Now that we’ve examined the importance of periodontal care for seniors and some of the challenges that come with aging let’s take a closer look at the periodontal procedures available at our Los Angeles dental center:

Non-Surgical Gum Therapy: This procedure is designed to treat gum diseases without surgery. It typically involves a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, and it’s designed to remove plaque and tartar from below the gumline.

Curing Gum Disease: At the Center, we take pride in being among the pioneering US practices to introduce this non-surgical solution for treating gum disease. The Bonner method delves deep into plaque analysis at a microscopic scale, enabling us to comprehend the unique nature of a patient’s gum disease and its relationship with their overall health. Through 10 comprehensive office sessions, combined with rigorous home care guidelines, instructional techniques, and prescribed medications, we gain insight into the disease and successfully cure it.

Gum Grafting: To address gum recession, gum grafting can be performed to cover the exposed tooth roots. It can help reduce sensitivity and enhance the appearance of your smile.

Less Invasive Gum Lift: Traditionally, gum grafting surgery has been the standard treatment for gum recession. Yet, there’s a better procedure known as the RejuvaGum Lift™. Utilizing Advanced-Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) involves processing a modest sample of the patient’s blood, promoting swifter healing and rejuvenation of gum recession areas. Unlike other methods, it doesn’t require a tissue graft from the mouth’s roof, which not only sidesteps a frequently painful procedure but also shortens the recovery duration.

Dental Implants: Dental implants offer a permanent and natural-looking solution with many benefits for seniors with missing teeth. They anchor replacement teeth securely to your jawbone and restore both function and looks.

Periodontal Maintenance: Regular follow-up appointments are needed to monitor your gum health and address new dental issues. We work with you to create a personalized plan to keep your gums in top shape with periodontal maintenance.

Schedule Your Consultation

At The Center for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy, we believe that age is just a number, and it shouldn’t decide your ability to enjoy a healthy smile. Dr. Krivitsky and Dr. Aalam are here to provide specialized care for seniors.

Your smile is a cherished, life-long companion on this life journey, and it’s never too late to invest in its well-being. The Center for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy is here to help you navigate the challenges of aging with a confident and healthy grin. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a smile that will last through many more birthdays. 

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