It’s Father’s Day – a time to reflect on what our Dads have done for us, and thank them.  Some of us have gotten to the point where we are taking care of an aging parent, a selfless way to show our gratitude.  At Daniel N. Galaif, DDS we understand the challenges of caring for an elderly loved one, and there are many dental concerns that you should be aware of.

The demographic of older adults (65 years of age and older) is growing, and has become an increasing part of our dental practice.  The typical aging patient’s baseline health state can be complicated by physiologic changes associated with aging.  Older adults may regularly use several prescription and/or over-the-counter medications, making them more vulnerable to medication errors, drug interactions or adverse drug reactions (you can see here to know how to break your drug addiction with Pacific Ridge).  Potential physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments associated with aging may make home oral health care difficult. There is also websites that can provide you assistance like www.alcoholaddictionhelp.co.uk. If you need some assistance with cocaine addiction, you can also check similar sites like https://cocainerehabcentre.co.uk/supporting-loved-one-with-cocaine-addiction/. For addiction support in Berkshire Woodley, you may explore at sites like https://addictionrehabclinics.co.uk/near-me/berkshire-woodley/.

As we get older, we enter a second round of cavity prone years. One common cause of cavities in older adults is dry mouth. Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. However, it is a side-effect in more than 500 medications, including those for allergies or asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. This is one of the most important reasons why it’s so important to tell your dentist about any medications that you’re taking. Dr. Galaif can make recommendations to help relieve dry mouth symptoms and prevent cavities.

Many older adults have gum, or periodontal disease, caused by the bacteria in plaque, which irritate the gums, making them swollen, red and more likely to bleed. One reason gum disease is so widespread among older adults is that it’s often a painless condition until the advanced stage. If left untreated, gums can begin to pull away from the teeth and form deepened spaces called pockets, where food particles and more plaque may collect. Advanced gum disease can eventually destroy the gums, bone and ligaments supporting the teeth leading to tooth loss. The good news is that with regular dental visits, gum disease can be treated or prevented entirely.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 35,000 cases of mouth, throat and tongue cancer diagnosed each year. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62 years old. During dental visits, Dr. Galaif checks for any signs of oral cancer. Regular dental visits are important because in the early stages oral cancer typically does not cause pain, and early detection saves lives. Some symptoms you may see include open sores, white or reddish patches, and changes in the lips, tongue and lining of the mouth that last for more than two weeks.

Many retirees don’t realize that Medicare does not cover routine dental care. Begin to plan for dental expenses in advance of retirement, so dental health does not suffer once on a fixed income.  At Daniel N. Galaif, DDS we work with all patients to ensure you can receive the dental care you need, on a financial plan that works for your budget.

So if you have an aging parent, spouse or friend who has difficulty maintaining a healthy mouth on their own, you can help with two critical tasks:

• Help them keep their mouth clean with reminders to brush and floss daily
• Make sure they visit their dentist regularly

Call (818) 789-6789 to make an appointment, or email info@DrGalaif.com.