Category: Tooth Loss

Maintaining Oral Health in Your Golden Years

Posted on by goldenproportions

As we journey through life, our bodies change, and our oral health is no exception. Seniors in particular face unique challenges when it comes to dental care. This is why it is crucial to see your dentist in Reno ideally twice a year, as gum disease and cavities tend to become more prevalent with age. Even if you have diligently cared for your teeth throughout your life, aging can bring about wear and tear and other oral health issues. To ensure a healthy smile for years to come, follow these dental care tips tailored to seniors.

Adapt Your Brushing and Flossing Routine

Brushing and flossing are critical for seniors as they help reduce the risk of gum disease, which affects nearly half of all adults over 65 and can contribute to other health complications, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Proper oral hygiene remains the foundation of good oral health, but as we age, our brushing and flossing habits may require adjustment. Diminished hand dexterity can make these tasks more challenging. To maintain oral health, it’s essential to find the right tools and techniques that suit your specific needs. 

Combat Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a prevalent concern for seniors and can result from certain medications that reduce saliva production, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics. Age-related changes in the salivary glands can also lead to this issue. Dry mouth, while uncomfortable, can have serious consequences, including tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Consult with your Reno dentist to address this problem effectively. Some recommended remedies may include:

  • Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • Chewing sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production.
  • Limiting caffeine and alcohol that can exacerbate dry mouth.
  • Using mouthwash specifically formulated for dry mouth relief.

Prioritize Dental Visits

As we age, our susceptibility to tooth decay and oral infections increases, and maintaining oral hygiene can become more challenging. Neglecting oral health can lead to tooth loss, gum disease, and other complications. Therefore, it is essential to schedule regular dental appointments, ideally every six months, to prevent and address issues promptly. Some older adults, especially those at higher risk for dental problems, may benefit from more frequent dental check-ups.

Tooth Loss Is Not Inevitable

When contemplating the impact of aging on oral health, many people automatically think of tooth loss. However, losing your teeth is not inevitable. The best approach to preserving your teeth as you age includes maintaining excellent oral hygiene practices, eating a healthy diet, staying well-hydrated, avoiding smoking, and regularly visiting your dentist in Reno. In the event you do lose a tooth or two, consider options like dental bridges, dental implants, or dentures to replace them. A full set of teeth is crucial for both oral health and overall well-being.

Your Golden Years and Oral Health

Taking care of your teeth is essential at every age, but the approach may change as you grow older. Adapting your oral health care routine to address the unique challenges of aging is vital for preserving your dental health in your golden years. Remember, regular visits to your dentist and proactive oral hygiene are your best allies in maintaining a healthy and radiant smile throughout your life.

4 Things That Cause Teeth to Fall Out

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

 

 

When many of us think about losing our teeth, we may assume that this is something that just happens as we get older. But, according to the American Dental Association, more Americans are keeping their teeth longer than ever before, which is great news! However, this doesn’t just happen naturally and there are things we need to do to increase our chances of keeping all of our teeth for life. Because of this, your dentist in Reno wants to share some of the most common things that cause teeth to fall out so you can do everything you can to avoid them. 

Gum Disease

The number one cause of tooth loss in American adults is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease occurs when bacteria work their way up under the gum tissue and settle in, causing an infection. This infection can be treated if caught early, but if it’s not taken care of, it will begin to destroy both the gum tissue and the jaw bone — both of which help hold teeth in place. Without this support structure, teeth will become loose and eventually fall out. 

Cavities

Almost all of us have experienced at least one cavity and know the discomfort that can come along with it. The reason cavities hurt is that a cavity is essentially a tiny hole in a tooth that may affect the inner workings of the tooth where the nerves and roots are held. The result is the all too familiar zing of tooth pain. Cavities can be treated quickly and easily by your dentist in Reno if they’re caught early. However, when they’re left untreated, cavities can destroy a tooth from the inside out and either require a root canal or result in a lost tooth. 

Accidents or Trauma

Even if you take perfect care of your teeth you may still experience tooth loss as a result of an accident or trauma. Tooth loss is an incredibly common side effect of many sports injuries and even car accidents or falls. While we can’t do much to completely avoid accidents or trauma to our teeth, we can take certain preventive measures such as wearing a mouthguard every time we play a sport. 

Whole-Body Health Concerns

Other common causes of tooth loss in adults don’t initially appear to have anything to do with the mouth and actually originate and directly affect other areas of the body. However, there is a strong correlation between what happens in our bodies and what happens in our mouths. Therefore, there are several whole-body health concerns that can increase the risk of tooth loss, such as: 

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Poor Diet
  • Arthritis

Nobody wants to experience tooth loss, but the good news is there are some simple things you can do to give yourself the best chance of keeping your teeth for life. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth every single day, avoid smoking or using tobacco products, and of course, see your dentist in Reno at least every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. 

Keeping Your Gums Healthy Will Reduce Your Tooth Loss Risk

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Your goal when it comes to oral health care should be to keep your smile in the best possible condition for as long as possible. While aging can present some challenges to your preventive dental care habits, you should not feel as though tooth loss is something you are unable to avoid. If you feel concerned about the possibility of tooth loss, you should know that the biggest risk comes in the form of gum disease. Paying attention to your periodontal health today can ensure that your gums stay healthy, and that your smile stays complete. If you detect symptoms of a periodontal infection, your dentist can help by providing a Perio Tray. A Perio Tray gives you a means of directly administering treatment to your gums, so that bacterial infection can be effectively addressed. Continue reading “Keeping Your Gums Healthy Will Reduce Your Tooth Loss Risk” →

What Benefits Can Implant-Supported Prosthetics Offer?

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Is an implant-supported prosthetic the right way to help rebuild your smile? Implants have offered amazing benefits to patients with a range of different issues caused by tooth loss. You can use an implant to support a single replacement tooth, but they can also be counted on to hold dentures in place. An initial evaluation with your dentist can determine if you are a good candidate. If you are, you can move forward with placement. Implants make it easier to practice standard dental functions, and they can feel more comfortable. There are also benefits for your oral health in the long term, particularly where it concerns the health of your jaw. Continue reading “What Benefits Can Implant-Supported Prosthetics Offer?” →

The Role Dental Implants Play In Prosthetic Dental Work

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

What role do dental implants play in prosthetic dental work? The implant by itself is not your restoration. What they actually provide is support, so that your restoration is more comfortable, while also offering more functional benefits. Dental implants help patients feel more confident in their smile after suffering tooth loss. They can help with isolated, individual losses, but they are effective at restoring more serious losses, too. If you are ready to do something about gaps in your smile, you can set up a consultation to learn if you qualify for implants. In addition to securing restorations, implants benefit you by limiting any shifting that may occur with remaining teeth, while also helping to prevent jawbone resorption. Continue reading “The Role Dental Implants Play In Prosthetic Dental Work” →

Recognizing The Value Of Implant Support For Prosthetics

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

How do you make sure you have the best possible support from your dental prosthetic? If you qualify for placement, you can receive permanent support for your restoration from a dental implant. Implants can be used to hold individual replacement teeth, but it is possible to use a sequence of implants or mini implants to hold a larger prosthetic piece, like dentures. Patients who have implant-supported prosthetics can be more comfortable when they bite and chew food, and will not have to worry about issues of instability. Implants even support the health of your jawbone, which can be adversely impacted by tooth loss. Continue reading “Recognizing The Value Of Implant Support For Prosthetics” →

How Will A Dental Bridge Impact My Oral Health?

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

If you are struggling with the consequences of tooth loss, you certainly do not need to be told that an incomplete smile can create functional concerns. However, you may be unsure exactly how much there is to be gained from a dental prosthetic, beyond the improvement to your appearance. With a dental bridge, you can receive permanent support for tooth loss. Your permanent prosthetic can offer real functional benefits, making it easier for you to bite and chew, and relieving stress on your jaw joints. That being said, there is nothing wrong with appreciating how a prosthetic improves how you look! Your bridge can be constructed in order to replace a single lost tooth, but you also have the option of receiving a bridge that replaces several missing teeth. Continue reading “How Will A Dental Bridge Impact My Oral Health?” →

3 Reasons To Replace A Single Missing Tooth

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

Is one missing tooth really cause for alarm? If the tooth is located in noticeable part of your smile, you can be eager to replace it. A smile gap can make people embarrassed, even to the point that they try to hide their smile! However, people who lose a tooth in a less visible area may be less clear on the need to receive proper prosthetic dental support. You should understand that in addition to cosmetic problems, tooth loss can cause real functional concerns. If you need to replace a lost tooth, you should know that a dental implant can effectively act like a tooth root, and provide excellent lasting support for your restoration. Continue reading “3 Reasons To Replace A Single Missing Tooth” →

3 Facts You Should Know About Tooth Loss

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

One prominent issue patients worry about is tooth loss. This problem, which most often occurs because of issues created by gum disease, can lead to cosmetic and functional problems. While your image of tooth loss may involve a smile with many gaps, it only takes one missing tooth to create trouble. There are several possible solutions for tooth loss. When you look into prosthetic support, know that dental implants offer big advantages. In addition to helping improve the functional value of your restoration, the presence of implants means avoiding jawbone resorption, which can interfere with your oral health, and have a negative impact on how you look. Continue reading “3 Facts You Should Know About Tooth Loss” →

Counting On Dental Implants To Support Dentures And Bridges

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

When patients need to address the loss of multiple teeth, dental bridges and dentures are often counted on to rebuild their smiles. With dental implants, you can keep these prosthetic units more securely in place. Implants are popular because they allow you to enjoy permanent support for your dentures, and keep bridges in place without the need to modify healthy teeth. Implants can also be preferred because you can prevent jawbone resorption, which involves the loss of your jawbone mass. Your dentist will need to provide you with a review before starting your placement, as existing oral health concerns can interfere with your inability to receive them. Because that placement involves oral surgery, you will need to be healthy enough to undergo surgery. Continue reading “Counting On Dental Implants To Support Dentures And Bridges” →