The Importance of Dental Care for Elderly Patients

June 10, 2020

Since 2014, your doctor has provided the men and women of Orange County with high-quality elderly dental care. He and his team of dental professionals, value this patient population because they are aware of how underserved they are. Because many elderly men and women are unable to physically visit a traditional dentist, they unnecessarily suffer with oral health conditions—even if they are in a care facility. If your loved one needs safe, comfortable, and in-home elderly dental care, your doctor and his team of board-certified dentists are ready to help!

Elderly Dental Care

Aging does many things to the body. Some signs of aging you can see—like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. But other signs are more deceptive and well-hidden. Aging bones are one of those deceptive things. From the outside, they may seem to be strong and reliable, while on the inside, they are becoming brittle and weak.

As aging takes its toll on our bodies, we lose more bone than we make through the natural process of destruction and renewal, and this goes for the enamel on our teeth as well as the other bones in our bodies. As we age, our tooth enamel begins to wear away, making our teeth more susceptible to damage and decay. This can then lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and jawbone resorption. Preventing and treating these types of oral health conditions for men and women in Orange County is why elderly dental care is so important.

Oral Cancer in the Elderly

Oral cancer is another concern for aging men and women in Orange County, and another reason why routine elderly dental care is so important. According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 35,000 cases of oral cancer diagnosed each year, with the average age of those diagnosed being 62. If your loved one is homebound and cannot receive traditional dental care, it is vital that you contact In Motion Dentists to obtain regular in home elderly care dental visits so they can provide oral cancer screenings.

Oral cancer does not cause pain in its early stages, which is another reason why elderly men and women should be checked at least twice a year by a dentist for physical signs within the mouth. As oral cancer progresses, patients may notice open sores, white or reddish patches within the mouth, and changes in the color of the lips, tongue, and lining of the mouth that lasts for more than 2 weeks. If you’re caring for an elderly loved one, and you notice these symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor and request elderly dental care immediately.

In Motion Dentists’ Approach to Caring for the Elderly

One of the main reasons why In Motion Dentists was developed was to provide mobile elderly dental care to those in need throughout Orange County. Your doctor and his team work closely with memory care facilities, senior living facilities, and even private patients who need in home elderly dental care.

If your loved one is suffering from Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, or other types of debilitating health conditions, In Motion Dentists can come to them and provide elderly dental care at their home or care facility. Your doctor, or a member of his team, can provide comprehensive exams, take X-rays, and treat any oral health conditions that may arise.

If you’d like to learn more about the elderly dental care services provided by In Motion Dentists, call their office in Orange County today at (626) 594-0374.