senior center

Dr. Greg Grillo (dentably.com)

In Los Angeles, California, dentists are constantly working to treat dental emergencies amongst senior patients. Dental emergencies can spring at any moment, and they seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. However, as one gets older, they, unfortunately, become more prone to these emergencies. Dental emergencies can either happen more often or be more severe in someone over the age of 65. As a practicing dentist for over 17 years, I have come up with some great ways to help prevent dental emergencies.

1. Continue visiting the dentist regularly

It is recommended that an individual visits the dentist twice a year, or once every six months. This is the best way to keep your teeth in good health and prevent dental emergencies. However, sometimes accessibility issues arise with elderly individuals. It can be a lot harder for them to go to a dentist’s office. Luckily, in Los Angeles, there are quite a few mobile dentist options and resources. Mobile dentists travel to the patient’s home to provide them with care. This makes it much easier for elderly patients to receive the care that they need and prevent dental emergencies.

2. Keep practicing good oral hygiene at home

Practicing good oral hygiene is important throughout one’s entire life. It’s especially important for senior citizens as plaque has a better chance of building up quickly on their teeth. Also, elderly individuals are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease, especially if their oral care routine is neglected. The best way to maintain good oral health at home is to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. It’s also important to floss and rinse your mouth with mouthwash at least once a day. It may become difficult for a senior to complete these daily tasks, however, there are senior care providers that may be able to help individuals maintain an oral hygiene routine.

3. Prioritize denture care

A common dental emergency amongst the elderly is broken dentures. This can be a difficult emergency to resolve as it requires finding quick denture repair or replacements. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to care for your dentures and avoid anything happening to them. It’s important to take dentures out before bedtime. This relieves the gums from the pressure that dentures cause. They should be stored in water when not in use. Also, one should scrub dentures daily with a denture brush. It should be done at night or after every meal. Dental creams and liquid detergents work great for cleaning dentures.

Dental emergencies are never convenient so working towards preventing them can help. As an individual becomes older, they can become more prone to dental emergencies and it is much harder to care for their mouths. Continuing to visit a dentist regularly and maintaining a good oral care routine are important steps to take when working to prevent dental emergencies. If you or someone you care for is experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to get help immediately. Many mobile dentists have on-call emergency dentists and can provide care for seniors when they need it.