Dentistry for Senior Citizens: What are Your Options?

Your health needs change as you get older, and that includes your oral health. Aging adults living with medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease often need to be vigilant about oral hygiene and regular dental exams and cleanings. Up to 22 percent of people with diabetes have gum disease, and uncontrolled blood sugar can increase your risks of dental concerns. Certain medications, old silver fillings, and the natural decrease in saliva production with age increase your likelihood of having oral health problems as well. 

Our experienced dentists at Wood Creek Dental understand the changing needs of adults who are retirement age and older. Whether you need preventive dentistry or need to replace missing teeth, our dentists can help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile. 

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New dentistry methods and advanced technologies help our dentists prevent and address a variety of dental problems. It’s best to adhere to bi-annual dental exams to get ahead of any emerging tooth or gum problems. Some of the most common senior dental care options include:

Dental Implants 

Missing just one tooth can have a far-reaching impact on your mouth and can even change your facial shape. Your jawbone loses density the longer you wait to replace the tooth, and dental implants are the best way to restore a full smile. Dental implants involve a titanium post that replaces the tooth root, a tooth-colored dental crown, and an abutment to connect the two. You can care for them just like your natural teeth—through daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing after meals and snacks. Our Greenville dentists also offer dentures, which restore a full mouth but don’t maintain facial structure like dental implants. 

Metal-Free Crowns, Bridges, & Fillings 

Porcelain crowns and tooth-colored fillings mimic the natural sheen of your teeth and are matched to the shade of your adjacent teeth. At Wood Creek Dental, we offer tooth-colored fillings and metal-free crowns and bridges. Not only do these treatment alternatives restore a more natural and aesthetic look to your teeth, but the advanced technology behind the restorative materials makes them fracture resistant and enhances the strength and function of the affected teeth.

Porcelain Veneers & Cosmetic Dentistry 

Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option that involves thin shells placed over your teeth to address imperfections such as tooth cracks, chips, gaps, discoloration, and more. Teeth whitening is another way to improve the appearance of your teeth, and the two can be combined to give you a brighter smile. Cosmetic dentistry is an option for all adults who are unhappy with an aspect of their teeth or gums. 

Contact our Greenville Dentists at Wood Creek Dental 

If you’re of retirement age or older or have a loved one in need of senior dental care, contact Wood Creek Dental in Greenville, South Carolina today at (864) 288-5300 to schedule your dental exam and consultation.