As a female dentist, daughter, wife, and mother, Dr. Julie Glud lends a gentle touch to her compassionate chairside manner, for patients of all ages. Geriatric patients often experience dental issues that are new to them–issues they’ve never before had to address. As your Lombard dentist, Dr. Glud helps patients understand their dental health, treatment options, and why treatment is important. We always answer all of our patients’ questions and are happy to explain what to expect with any treatment or service.
In addition, when extensive dental work is warranted, such as full mouth restoration or implant-retained dentures, we help patients acquire financing through trusted third-party lenders. Dr. Glud believes that everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile.
Improving your oral health will have a great impact on your overall health and quality of life. In today’s blog, we’ll cover five of the most common dental issues Dr. Glud sees in geriatric patients.
In this two-part blog series, we’ll explore:
- Gum disease treatment
- Gum recession treatment
- Replacement of old/failing dental work
- Tooth replacement
- Cosmetic dentistry
Gum Disease Treatment
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that over 70% of adults aged 65 and over suffer from gum disease. With symptoms that include red, swollen, bleeding gums, bad breath, pus at the gum line, and gum recession, gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the United States. The disease increases one’s risk of developing diabetes complications, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other systemic health problems, as well.
In some patients, the early symptoms are mild and only a dentist or hygienist recognizes the presence of gum disease. Usually, identification happens at six-month checkups and cleanings, but if you’ve not been to the dentist in a while and suspect that you’ve developed gum disease, schedule an exam and consultation with Dr. Glud.
We treat gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, with a deep cleaning. This involves scaling, which is cleaning the teeth at and below the gum line to remove plaque, tartar, and infection. Next comes root planing, which entails smoothing rough areas on teeth roots to reduce the areas where plaque can build up. Some patients also need antibiotics to thwart infection. In combination with good daily hygiene, scaling and root planing eliminate infection and reduce the risk for recurrent flare-ups.
If your gum disease has advanced to the point of needing surgery, Dr. Glud may refer you to a trusted periodontist for treatment. Surgical removal of diseased, dead, or dying gum tissue will prompt growth of healthy tissue as replacement.
Gum recession treatment
When gums pull away from teeth and appear to shrink, teeth roots can become exposed. While the crowns of human teeth are coated with protective dental enamel, roots have no such coating. Exposed teeth roots are often sensitive to pressure, temperature, brushing, and flossing. Recession occurs for a number of reasons, such as:
- Harsh teeth brushing
- Tobacco use
- Gum disease
- Trauma or injury to gum tissue
Treatment of gum disease usually involves changing oral homecare habits, treating gum disease, and in cases of significant recession, gum grafts may be indicated. We may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist who has extensive training in the supporting structures of the teeth.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Lombard Dentist Today
Has your oral health deteriorated over time? Is old dental work beginning to fail? Do you want to permanently stabilize your dentures? Call on Dr. Julie Glud, your Lombard dentist, at 630-629-5700 for a consultation, exam, or second-opinion appointment. She’ll gently and thoroughly examine your mouth, head, and neck, then talk with you about her findings. With easy-to-understand explanations, Dr. Glud can tell you how to restore your oral health, improve your overall health, and boost your quality of life!
