Dental Exams for Seniors

As patients grow older, their dental needs begin to change. Patients can experience trouble chewing, loss of teeth, problems with dentures and bridgework, gum disease, and more. Dr. N. Perry Orchard provides dental exams for seniors at our Corpus Christi, TX dental practice.

During your appointment, our dentists thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, bones, and overall oral health to find any issues. We will go over all available options to restore and maintain oral health. We can then devise a personalized, comprehensive plan to address any problems.

Why Is a Senior Dental Exam Needed?

As you age, your physical abilities change, which can affect your oral health. Conditions like arthritis can affect your hands, making it harder to brush and floss your teeth. This can cause tooth decay, gum disease, dental discoloration, and tooth loss.

Some medications can also lead to dry mouth, reducing saliva production. With less saliva, your teeth are more prone to tooth decay.

When you have failing or damaged teeth, you may find it difficult to chew and eat comfortably. With missing teeth, your jawbone might not align properly, causing further discomfort. For patients who wear dentures, fungus can build-up and damage surrounding tissue. An exam is needed to address any of these issues before they worsen.

What to Expect during a Senior Dental Exam

In our Corpus Christi office, our dental exams for seniors consist of a visual examination of the mouth. We will assess the oral soft tissues and check the teeth for discoloration, decay, mobility, and staining.

Our doctors take x-rays to gain a more in-depth view of your oral health. Our team might also take clinical photos of your teeth.

The check-up will include a periodontal exam, which measures the pockets around each tooth. Higher numbers indicate bone loss. These areas should be addressed as soon as possible to reduce the risk of future problems.

We will also conduct a bite analysis. During this process, we check to ensure the teeth are fitting together properly. We will also assess the temporomandibular joints, located on either side of the face. When there are problems with these joints, you could experience pain, locking, grinding, and clenching. Addressing these issues helps balance your bite for better function and health.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is especially prevalent among older patients, so our Corpus Christi dentists provide an oral cancer screening during every exam. Patients have a better prognosis if the cancer is detected and treated early. We look for sores in the mouth, tissues that have changed colors, pain, tenderness, and other symptoms.

We use the VELscope® device to shine a special light in the mouth to detect any abnormalities. If our doctors discover any problems, we can use the brush test to collect samples for lab analysis.

Treatment Options

There are various treatment options available in our dental office. Some of these include:

• Dental Implants: This treatment is one of the most common solutions for tooth loss. Implants are the next best thing to your original teeth.
• Dentures: Full or partial dentures are available to restore your smile, ability to chew, and improve your speech.
• Crowns and Bridges: These custom restorations can repair damaged teeth or fill in gaps.
• Full Mouth Restoration: This comprehensive treatment includes several restorative options customized to reestablish function and health.

Schedule a Consultation

Since every patient is unique, no two treatment plans will be the same. To explore your options and restore your oral health, contact us.