Dental care for the elderly has different challenges, such as the possibility of dementia, mobility issues, and the implications of being on multiple medications. None of these diminish the need for proper dental care. There are three main reasons for maintaining oral health regardless of age:
- Oral disease is cumulative, so problems will worsen and grow over time. This is why we encourage you to complete your treatment plan now rather than waiting until the problem gets worse (ie. a filling can become a crown or root canal quite quickly if you do not take action in a timely way).
- Oral disease has an impact on your entire body. Cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, stroke), diabetes, and infections are all linked to oral health.
- Oral problems impact quality of life. Without teeth you cannot eat properly, communicate as clearly, and feel confident about your appearance. (CDA Essentials, Vol 3 Issue 2)
We have many elderly patients and work hard to accommodate all of their needs, whether it’s helping them in and out of our office tower, booking longer appointments to allow for mobility and communication issues, or including family members in the treatment plan.We do whatever is needed for achieving optimal oral health for each of our patients. For more information, see the Canadian Dental Association website.
