Geriatric dentistry deals with the dental needs of those over 65, who may have pre-existing conditions, compromised immune systems, and difficulty with daily oral care. Special considerations and modified tools are necessary, and dentists must be prepared to deal with external problems and medication interactions.
As individuals age, their medical needs change; this applies to dentistry as well as other areas of medicine. Geriatric dentistry is a division of the medical field that deals specifically with the teeth, mouth, and gums of older individuals, generally those over the age of 65. Changing anatomy and body processes make it necessary to take into account a number of special considerations when working on the teeth of the elderly.
When an individual has reached the age of 65 or older, the chances of them suffering from periodontal or gum disease are high. Many patients have pre-existing conditions that dentists and hygienists need to consider. The problem potentially adds to the difficulty some patients may have in taking care of their teeth on a daily basis. Those who lack good oral skills or the strength to brush properly may present their dentists with additional difficulties. These issues can be addressed by those who have received training in geriatric dentistry.
Some of the problems older people face stem from an age-related process where the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth healthy and clean. Older people who have compromised immune systems or don’t continue to maintain a healthy diet may also be prone to fungal infections in the mouth, usually first visible on the lips. Those who have lost their natural teeth still need regular dental care to keep their dentures fitting well and to ensure that there are no sore spots or pockets where food can linger. All of these issues require specific geriatric training.
Many processes and procedures need to change once a practice moves into geriatric dentistry. The tissues in the mouth and gums change with age and become more delicate. Tools and methods used on younger individuals can cause serious harm or pain to an older individual. Modified instruments and toothbrushes are often used on older patients to reduce stress on the gums and teeth.
In geriatric dentistry, practitioners treat a wide range of patients and must be able to not only supervise their oral care, but extend that care to the individual. Difficulties can arise with delicate or frail patients and dentists must be prepared to deal with those who may have difficulty getting in and out of a chair or positioning themselves correctly for an exam and cleaning. Geriatric patients may also face a variety of external problems for which a dentist must be able to help them, from difficulties financing dental care to not being able to get to the dentist’s office; for some, that means finding a geriatric dentistry practice willing to refer them. Dentists also need to be familiar with a number of medications an elderly patient may be taking, as drug interactions with dental offices can be extremely dangerous.
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