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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

If you are a senior considering dental implants, you may have to worry about issues other dental patients don't have to think about. For example, you may need more time to recover after receiving your implants. My name is Jodi, and I've been working with seniors for years. I decided to create this blog to help the seniors I can't meet in person. In this space, I'm going to post entries on everything related to dental implants and seniors. From tips on flossing implants after arthritis has claimed some of your dexterity, to guiding you through the implants-vs-dentures debate, this blog is designed for you. Thanks for reading. I hope you find what you need!

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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

Should you book an appointment with a periodontist?

by Jimmy Carter

As part of taking care of your teeth, you should be seeing your local dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups and dental cleaning to make sure that your teeth stay in great shape, but your dentist is not the only person who can help you to take care of your teeth. If your dentist spots signs of periodontal disease or gingivitis, they may want to refer you to a periodontist so that they can treat the infection and prevent your condition from deteriorating further. If you leave these conditions untreated, there could be serious consequences, including tooth loss and gum disease.

What signs could indicate that you need to see a periodontist?

If you are wondering whether or not you should book an appointment to see your local periodontist, you must examine your mouth carefully to see whether or not you have any of the following symptoms.

Receding gums or loose teeth

If you notice that your teeth are starting to look a little longer, then your gums could be receding. Receding gums lead to loose teeth that could even be lost entirely if the problem is not addressed and the jawbone becomes damaged.

Bleeding gums

Gums that bleed while you are brushing them are one of the most common indications of periodontal disease and are a clear sign that you should be seeking the help of a periodontist without delay.

Prolonged halitosis

If you maintain a good oral health routine but still experience regular halitosis, it is worth asking your periodontist to take a look and see if there is an undiagnosed problem. You could be suffering from gingivitis, periodontitis or another infection in your gum tissue

Is periodontitis serious?

In addition to the obvious problems it can cause in your mouth, periodontitis has also been linked to other serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, osteopenia and osteoporosis. Once an infection reaches your bloodstream, it can easily spread and infect any part of your body.

Are there any other reasons to see a periodontist?

While most of the time, you will want to see a periodontist to resolve health problems with your teeth, not all of their work is like that. There are also plenty of cosmetic reasons that you may want to see a periodontist. Your local periodontist will be happy to talk to you about crown lengthening, dental implants or gum depigmentation to improve your confidence and the appearance of your smile.

To learn more, contact a periodontist.

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