Dentists Serving Greenville, Simpsonville, Landrum & Nearby Areas Of South Carolina And North Carolina
As you reach retirement age, you want your days to be stress-free and filled with quality time with loved ones. After all, you’ve earned it through decades of hard work and responsibility. That’s why at Wood Creek Dental in upstate South Carolina, we aim to provide a comfortable environment for all of our patients, especially our senior patients, so that you can get the dental care you need to ensure a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.
At our Greenville and Landrum offices, we understand that our senior patients have different dental needs than our other patients, and we provide the comprehensive dental care that you need and deserve at this stage of your life. You can trust that when you come to us for your oral health needs, our entire staff will work to make your visit as pleasant and efficient as possible so that you can get back to enjoying your life.If you’d like to learn more about the senior dental care services we provide, please give us a call at our Greenville office at 864-288-5300 or our Landrum office at 864-457-3425 to schedule your free consultation. We happily serve those who live in Greenville, Simpsonville, Landrum, and nearby areas of South Carolina and North Carolina.
How Do Needs Differ in Senior Dentistry?
At Wood Creek Dental, we understand that as our patients get older their dental needs begin to change. Whether you’re dealing with reduced saliva production or looking for a permanent tooth replacement option, our experienced dentists can help you understand the options available and select the right dental treatments to return your smile to full function and beauty.
A variety of factors can negatively affect your dental health as you get older. At our offices, we often see patients with issues caused by:
- Medications
- Reduced saliva production
- Old silver fillings
- Changing lifestyles
With these changes, dental care becomes more important than ever to keep your mouth healthy. Certain types of dental decay, periodontal disease, and prescription medications can wreck a healthy mouth in a short period of time.
The focus for our senior patients is to provide a comfortable environment for the dental work they need. Our entire staff is committed to helping you love your smile and enjoy your dental services.
What Kind Of Senior Dental Care Solutions Are Available?
Fortunately, with newer materials and more advanced technology and methods, we have many more options available to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Not only can you keep your teeth, but we can also rejuvenate your smile to take years off your appearance. We can improve your smile with cosmetic enhancements such as:
- Dental implants
- Teeth whitening
- Metal-free crowns and bridges
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Porcelain veneers
- Preventative dentistry
- Dentures
When you come to us for your dental care, we’ll begin by ensuring that your teeth and gums are healthy or treating them if they need care. We will explore various options during your consultation to determine the safest and most effective treatment for your specific issue.
For example, we will recommend dental implants, a bridge or dentures if you have missing teeth. Dental implants are titanium screws that are fused into the jawbone. This process helps make sure that you don’t lose bone density in your jaw. Afterward, a tooth-colored crown is placed securely on top of the implant to serve as your new permanent tooth. Dentures and bridges are also options for missing teeth; however, dental implants offer more benefits, better functionality, and better maintainance of your facial structure.
This is just one example of the types of treatments we can provide you at our office. Our experienced dentists will speak with you in depth about your condition and address any concerns you may have so that you can leave feeling great about how your smile looks and feels.
What Are the Most Common Issues in Senior Dental Care?
Oral health problems in older adults may include gum disease, chronic dry mouth, untreated tooth decay, tooth infection, oral cancer, and tooth loss. Oral health issues are often slow to progress. Biannual visits help to catch issues early and allow for treatment before serious problems occur.
Maintaining a consistent daily oral hygiene routine and twice-yearly visits to our office can help prevent the most common senior dental care issues.
As a Senior, My Teeth Have Never Felt Sensitive. They Are Now Super Sensitive to Hot and Cold. What’s Going On?
Tooth sensitivity is caused by chipped or cracked tooth enamel, gum recession, gum disease, worn dental restorations, and thinning enamel. All of these things are common with age.
If you are struggling with sensitive teeth, we are here to help. During your next visit, we can determine what is causing the sensitivity and discuss treatments to help restore comfort.
As a Senior, I Have a Hard Time Brushing My Teeth Because I Have Arthritis in My Hands. What Are My Options?
People with arthritis can benefit from using an electric toothbrush. These brush teeth without manual manipulation, making it easier to clean the teeth thoroughly.
Several automatic toothbrush models have a larger handle and are more accessible for people with arthritis to grip.
What Causes Tooth Loss in Seniors?
Tooth loss may be a result of:
- Trauma
- Inadequate oral care
- Untreated tooth infection or decay
- Gum disease
- Excessive teeth grinding
- Genetics
- Lifestyle choices such as tobacco and alcohol use
You can help prevent tooth loss by brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding sugary and processed foods, and visiting one of our conveniently located offices every six months for thorough tooth cleaning.
Why Do Seniors Struggle More With Dry Mouth?
Many medications can cause dry mouth. So too can therapeutic treatments such as radiation.
People with certain autoimmune disorders may experience dry mouth more frequently, as well as people with nasal obstructions or who naturally breathe through their mouths.
If you are struggling with chronic dry mouth, give us a call to schedule a consultation. We can provide both treatment and personalized suggestions to help relieve symptoms and restore comfort.
My Elderly Parent Has Dementia but Needs to See a Dentist. What Should I Do?
Daily oral care is essential for seniors. So too are routine visits to the dentist. These things will help prevent pain, infection, and tooth loss.
When selecting a dentist, choose one who focuses on senior dental care and is equipped to handle the specific needs of patients with dementia. This helps to protect both patient and provider and works to ensure the most rewarding experience for all involved.
Hear What Our Patients Have to Say
“At 92, keeping my teeth and gums healthy is important and helps me stay healthy! Dr. Bridges completed a filling repair quickly and easily. Thanks!”
—Earl R.
"State of the Art Dentistry with skillful and knowledgeable Dentists and Hygienists that rank among the best that have cared for me over the last 60 + years!"
—Michael C.
"Wood Creek Dental has a very caring staff that makes me feel special. They are concerned about what I need and how to best meet my needs. I always know I will receive excellent professional care when I am with them."
—Eva H.
Contact Our Senior Dental Care Dentists Today
If you’re a senior and are looking to experience top-quality dental care and explore your options for smile rejuvenation, call us today at Wood Creek Dental at 864-288-5300 in the Greenville area and 864-457-3425 in the Landrum area to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced dentists. We can find the right dental solutions to fit your individual needs. We welcome patients throughout Greenville, Landrum, Simpsonville, and the entire upstate South Carolina area.
