How Often Should Elderly Patients Get Dental Care Check Ups?

August 6, 2020

Routine dental care is important—no matter the age or stage. So, if your loved one requires elderly dental care, they should be seen at least twice a year. However, In Motion Dentists understands that this is easier said than done for the elderly population in Orange County. Many seniors struggle to physically visit a traditional dental office due to various physical or mental health conditions. These restrictions have led to an underserved patient population. Your doctor has recognized this unfortunate circumstance, which is why he decided to do something about it.

He and his team of board-certified dentists have a passion for serving the traditionally underserved in a safe and comfortable manner. In 2014, he founded In Motion Dentists, a mobile dental care facility that provides in-home elderly dental care to those in need in Orange County and beyond.

Patient education is important to your doctor, which is why this blog will talk more about elderly dental care when a dentist should be seen, and ways you can help your loved one practice proper oral hygiene.

What You Can Expect from Elderly Dental Care with In Motion Dentists

As we mentioned, seniors in Orange County should seek elderly dental care at least twice a year for routine checkups. However, those who suffer from oral health conditions may require more frequent visits. If you or a loved one have gum disease, jawbone resorption, or tooth loss, you will need to see your doctor every couple of months to improve or maintain oral health.

When your doctor visits the home or care facility of your loved one to provide elderly dental care, he will discuss their health and oral health history, and ask the following questions:

• What was the date of their last dental visit?
• Have they noticed any loose teeth or sensitivity in any of their teeth?
• Have there been any recent changes in their mouth?
• Do they have difficulty chewing, tasting, or swallowing?
• Are they experiencing any pain or discomfort in their mouth?
• Have they seen any lumps, bumps, or swelling in their mouth?

He will then perform a thorough elderly dental care exam, checking their bite, jaw, lymph nodes, salivary glands, inner cheeks, tongue and other soft tissues, the floor of their mouth, the soft and hard palate of their mouth, gum tissues, and their teeth.

Elderly patients in Orange County who wear dentures or other appliances in their mouths will need to be checked that they have a proper fit and are not experiencing any wear on the gums or inside the mouth. Your doctor will also carefully inspect your loved one’s dentures or other appliances for wear and tear during their elderly dental care appointment.

Elderly Dental Care Tips for Good Hygiene

As with everyone, proper elderly oral hygiene is vital for good oral health. When your doctor visits your loved one’s home or care facility for an elderly dental care exam, he will review proper oral hygiene as it pertains to your specific needs. However, generally speaking, seniors should be careful to:

• Brush twice a day
• Floss once a day or use a WaterPik if you are unable to floss
• Rinse with antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash (If you suffer from dry mouth, your doctor recommends using Biotene mouthwash as well.)
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and drink plenty of tap water, as tap water typically contains fluoride
• See your doctor on a regular basis for elderly dental care cleanings and oral exams

Your Doctor Can Maintain Your Oral Health Through Routine Elderly Dental Care Exams

If you or an elderly loved one is homebound, the team at In Motion Dentists wants to help provide routine dental care so your mouth and your body can stay healthy.

If you have any questions about your doctor’s mobile elderly dental care services, please don’t hesitate to call him in Orange County at (626) 594-0374!