Dentistry for older Adults in Ruston, LA

Taking Care of Teeth

For Older Adults & Seniors

As we age, issues like dry mouth, wear & tear, gum disease, and gum sensitivity become more common. There are a few ways that older adults and seniors can take control of their oral health.
‍
First, make sure you are brushing twice a day for two minutes using a fluoridated toothpaste. It’s best to brush once before bed, and once when you wake up. You should also floss once per day to reduce your risk of gum disease. In addition, rinsing with an antibiotic mouthwash can help keep your mouth healthy and reduce your risk of gum disease.
‍
Make sure you see a dentist like Dr. Stuckey for a dental appointment every six months. Dr. Stuckey can clean and examine your teeth to ensure your mouth is healthy. It’s also important to understand how your oral health is affected by other diseases and medications you’re taking. Uncontrolled diabetes, for example, dramatically raises your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and some medications can cause xerostomia (dry mouth) which also can negatively affect your oral health.

Restore your smile

Crowns & Bridges

If you have one or more damaged or missing teeth, dental crowns or bridges from the office of Patrick Stuckey, DDS may be right for you. Dental crowns can be used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay and oral trauma, or have just been worn down by wear & tear. They cover up and protect your entire remaining tooth, restoring your smile and your bite.
‍
Dental bridges use two crowns, which attach to your healthy teeth and suspend one or more false teeth (pontics) to “bridge “and restore gaps in your smile where you’ve lost one or more teeth. They’re cheaper than dental implants, but more durable, natural and comfortable than partial dentures. 

Replace one or more missing teeth

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the best way to permanently restore missing teeth. At our office, we offer both single-tooth implants and full-mouth reconstructions with implant-supported dentures and bridges. Implants are placed directly into your gums and jaw, and function as an artificial root. They last 30+ years with proper care, and look and feel more natural than any other method of tooth restoration.

High Quality with a custom Fit

Dentures

We offer high quality full and partial dentures. Whether you’ve recently lost some of your teeth, or you just need to replace a worn-out denture, Dr. Patrick Stuckey can help. We will work with you to develop a denture that looks and feels just like a natural part of your mouth, and will fit comfortably onto your gums without pain or discomfort. Contact us now to schedule your consultation! 

how dental problems

can cause issues for adults

If you’re an older adult, dental problems can cause a lot of issues that may interfere with your day-to-day life. Cavities, for example, may cause your teeth to feel sore and tender, and may eventually lead to a serious oral infection that will require treatment with root canal therapy. 
‍
Gum disease, which is very common in adults older than 65, is also a very common dental problem that can cause issues with your oral health and your overall health. Gum disease, if left untreated, can cause problems with your appearance like gum recession, and may even result in total tooth loss.
‍
The issues caused by cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems are not limited to your mouth, either. There’s evidence that gum disease may contribute to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, which may be a serious issue if you already have a family history of heart problems, or have other risk factors like a history of smoking, are overweight, or have high blood pressure.
‍
Because of this, it’s very important to get routine dental care at the office of Dr. Patrick Stuckey, especially if you are over the age of 65. Seeing Dr. Stuckey for preventive care like a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months ensures that your mouth stays healthy.

our top tips

prepare for your aging teeth

If you’re an older adult or senior, there are a few steps you may want to consider taking to prepare for your aging teeth. 
‍
First, it may be a good idea to consider tooth whitening. Over time, the enamel in your teeth becomes thinner, which leads to a more yellow appearance. You also may notice stains due to things like drinking tea and coffee or smoking. Removing these stains and reversing yellowing can make you feel better about your smile and make you look younger.
‍
It’s also absolutely essential to brush and floss thoroughly. Your risk of cavities is much higher as you age, since your teeth have been through a lot of wear & tear. Brush twice or three times a day using fluoride toothpaste, floss once per day, and consider using mouthwash to help kill harmful bacteria.
‍
You also need to stay hydrated, and get help if you have dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva flow naturally decreases as you age, and dry mouth can also be caused by some medications. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your saliva flowing properly.
‍
Also, you should be more careful when you eat and bite. Consider avoiding very hard foods like hard candy, ice, and most types of nuts. Your chance of injuring a tooth seriously enough to require a root canal or similar treatment is three times higher if you’re over the age of 65. Avoiding foods that could crack or damage your teeth will help your smile stay healthy.
‍
Lastly, and most importantly, never ignore oral pain or discomfort. Pain is your mouth’s way of telling you that something is wrong, and if you ignore your pain, you could end up with a more serious oral health problem. Contact the office of Dr. Patrick Stuckey to get an appointment and get the help you need.