Oral health is an important and often overlooked component of an older person’s general health and well-being. Dr. Daren Becker and our team know that for many of our older patients, oral health can become an issue when arthritis or other neurological problems render them unable to brush or floss their teeth as effectively as they once did. Today, we thought we would discuss four common oral health issues our older patients face and how they can avoid them:

Cavities: It’s not just children who get tooth decay—oral decay is a common disease in people 65 and older. Ninety-two percent of seniors 65 and older have had dental caries in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The risk for tooth decay increases because many older adults don’t go to the dentist as often as they used to, thus cavities go undetected and untreated for longer than they should. Keeping regular appointments with Dr. Daren Becker is the key to getting cavities treated in a timely manner.

Difficulty eating: Oral health problems, whether from missing teeth, cavities, dentures that don’t fit, gum disease, or infection, can cause difficulty eating and can force people to adjust the quality, consistency, and balance of their diet.

Dry mouth: Also called xerostomia, dry mouth is a common issue for a lot of seniors. Our friends at the Oral Cancer Foundation estimate that 20 percent of elderly people suffer from dry mouth, which means the reduced flow of saliva (saliva plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay). Many seniors are on multiple medications for a variety of chronic illnesses or conditions. Common medications taken that may cause dry mouth are decongestants, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, pain pills, incontinence medications, antidepressants, diuretics, muscle relaxers, and Parkinson’s disease medications. To help counter this, we suggest drinking lots of fluids and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol. We also encourage you to check with Dr. Daren Becker during your next visit if you think your medications are causing your mouth to feel dry.

Gum Disease: Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the gums and surrounding tissues that hold teeth in place. While gum disease affects people of all ages, it typically becomes worse as people age. In its early stages, gum disease is painless, and most people have no idea that they have it. In more advanced cases, however, gum disease can cause sore gums and pain when chewing.

Gum disease, which can range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease, is usually caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow dental plaque to build up on the teeth. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form tartar that brushing simply does not clean. Only a professional cleaning at our office can remove tartar. The two forms of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and can bleed easily; in periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces that become infected.

Proper brushing, flossing, and visiting our office regularly can prevent gum disease. Seniors with limited dexterity who have trouble gripping a toothbrush should ask Dr. Daren Becker about modifying a handle for easier use or switching to a battery-powered toothbrush.

One of the concerns we sometimes hear at Atlanta Dental Solutions is, “My gums just don’t look the same they once did. What is causing this?”

Our gums recede for a number of reasons. These include aggressive tooth brushing or the presence of periodontal disease, a bacteria-induced, inflammatory chronic condition that attacks gum tissue and the bone supporting the teeth. While you may not be able to control what is causing or has caused the recession, Dr. Daren Becker and our team at Atlanta Dental Solutions can help detect the factors contributing to the problem.

One of the treatments we proudly offer to fight receding gums is gum grafting, which involves removing healthy tissue from other locations in your mouth (usually the roof of your mouth) and placing it next to the affected tooth or teeth. Gum grafting helps cover the exposed roots to protect them from decay, and reduces tooth sensitivity, improving the aesthetics of your smile along the way.

How do I know if I have gum recession?

Gum recession doesn’t just appear overnight. Rather, it is a very slow, gradual process that is brought on by advanced gum disease such as periodontitis. Symptoms of gum recession include:

• Bleeding gums whenever your brush or floss
• Tender gums
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• Exposed teeth roots
• Increased space (gaps) between teeth
• Longer tooth line
• Sensitivity to hot or cold, or even to sweet, spicy, or sour foods

Gum Tissue Grafting

When you visit Atlanta Dental Solutions for your procedure, Dr. Daren Becker will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area involved. Depending on your specific condition, Dr. Daren Becker will perform one of three different types of gum tissue grafts:

• Connective tissue graft: The most common procedure for covering exposed roots, connective tissue grafting involves cutting a flap of skin in other areas of your mouth (usually from the roof of your mouth) and stitching the tissue next to the affected tooth or teeth.
• Free gingival graft: Similar to a connective tissue graft, a free gingival graft is an excellent method of treatment in cases where the goal is to increase the amount of gum tissue. Free gingival drafting also involves the use of tissue from the roof of the mouth. But rather than making a flap and removing tissue, a small amount of tissue is removed directly from the roof of the mouth and then attached to the gum area being treated.
• Pedicle graft: In this procedure, instead of taking tissue from the palate, it is grafted from gum around or near the affected tooth. The flap is only partially cut away and the gum is then pulled over or down to cover the exposed root, then sewn into place.

The procedure you undergo will depend entirely on your condition. Dr. Daren Becker will be happy to meet with you and discuss which method will work best for your unique situation. If you think you are suffering from gum recession, Dr. Daren Becker will be happy to discuss and figure out which procedure can help get your smile back. To learn more about gum grafting, or to schedule your appointment at our Atlanta, GA office, please give us a call today!

Capturing the Moment

At Atlanta Dental Solutions we know that just about anyone who has taken on the challenge of planning her own wedding could tell you how important the little details can be. Things like having complementary colors, the right location, show-stopping flowers, and delicious food are all a big part of planning your spring wedding. Another little detail that has a big “I do” related role? Your smile.

Whether you’re the bride, or an attendant, looking your best when you tie the knot (or help someone tie the knot) is essential. If your teeth aren’t ready to make an entrance, turning to one of the many available teeth whitening solutions is a great option.

Reliable Solutions

Before the wedding day arrives, you should take your smile into consideration. If diet and daily wear-and-tear have caused your teeth to lose their original luster, our team can help! In-office procedures do cost more than kits you use at home, but with an in-office treatment, you benefit from a professional taking proper care of your teeth.

In addition, relying on our office to handle teeth whitening before the wedding can give you access to trustworthy advice on how to keep your teeth looking their best for a longer period of time. It’s common for someone experienced in assisting people with their oral health to suggest investing in an in-office whitening technique and then following up with a teeth-whitening kit at home.

This is a season of new beginnings and beauty. Take the time to bring out your most beautiful smile before the big day. Don’t let your smile hold you back on your wedding. With our in-office teeth whitening, you can be sure that you’ll be more confident and comfortable interacting with friends and family. So remember, when in need of some quality oral care in Atlanta, GA to think of Dr. Daren Becker !

Our team at Atlanta Dental Solutions recently learned that in the decade between 2000 and 2010, the amount of adults who regularly visited their dentist declined, according to research released by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Resources Center (HPRC). In fact, the HPRC found that the percentage of adults who had regular checkups every six months declined from 41 percent in 2003 to 37 percent in 2010. The largest decline in dental care occurred in the 35- to 49-year-old age group. That’s down from from 43 percent in 2003 to just 38 percent in 2010.

There is some good news, however. While adult visits may have decreased, children’s visits were on the rise, particularly among low-income families. More low-income children are visiting the dentist now than they were ten years ago. And the HPRC notes that between 2000 and 2010, dental visits among low-income children increased in 47 states.

Have you ever wondered why the American Dental Association and Dr. Daren Becker recommend that you come in for a dental checkup and cleaning every six months? While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at Atlanta Dental Solutions ensure your and your child’s teeth are treated to a deeper level of cleaning. In addition to a thorough cleaning and teeth polishing, regular visits at our Atlanta, GA office help us detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease. During your visit, we’ll check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue for symptoms of any oral disease. We will also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, clenching, or grinding at night.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases due to age, pregnancy, tobacco use, or medical conditions such as diabetes or dry mouth, Dr. Daren Becker may recommend you visit our office more often than every six months.

If you are overdue for your next checkup and cleaning, please give us a call to schedule an appointment!