Holistic dentistry considers the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – when creating treatment plans. It fosters an approach that views the patient as a whole system rather than treating individual symptoms in isolation from one another.
In practice, this means a Holistic biological dentist using alternative techniques such as natural remedies and minimally invasive procedures when possible.
Unique Dental Care Challenges Faced by Aging Adults
Sensitivity Struggles: Hot & Cold Food/Drink Irritation
Tooth sensitivity is another common issue among aging adults since the protective enamel wears down over time. This means that hot or cold food/beverages can cause discomfort when they come into contact with exposed dentin (the layer beneath the enamel).
Medications Can Impact Oral Health
Many aging adults take medications to manage various chronic illnesses or medical conditions. However, some of these drugs could have side effects that impact your oral health such as dry mouth which makes the soft tissues susceptible to bacterial infections.
Mobility Challenges Affect Dental Hygiene
Seniors who experience physical mobility issues may find it difficult to brush their teeth effectively or reach all areas of their mouths thoroughly (e.g., arthritis). The good news is plenty of adaptive tools exist designed specifically for people with disabilities including electric brushes with easy-to-grip handles or long-handled toothbrushes.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet Can Be Challenging
Diet plays an essential role in one’s overall oral health but eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins B & D isn’t always possible due to external factors like limited income and availability of fresh produce amongst others. Talk about how basic nutrition advice related to meals high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables has been found beneficial in elderly populations.
Dental Care and Dementia
Dental care can become even more challenging for aging adults who are living with dementia. Whether they forget to brush their teeth or simply don’t remember how caregivers and family members should pay close attention to their loved one’s oral health routine, Check-ups every 6-8 months should ideally be done.
Conclusion: The Importance of Comprehensive Oral Health Care for Aging Adults
Ultimately, seniors require high-quality dental care just as much as anyone else does. While there may be unique challenges associated with aging that require special considerations and tools, proper preventative care and regular checkups by a holistic biological dentist remain essential components of maintaining optimal oral health throughout your golden years.
Why Is Holistic Dental Care Important?
A holistic approach to dental care is important to older people because it helps them to overcome the following challenges.
- Dry Mouth: As we age, our saliva production decreases, leading to dry mouth or xerostomia. This condition increases the risk of tooth decay as saliva helps wash away food particles that may lead to cavities.
- Gum Disease: Older adults are more susceptible to gum disease due to factors like hormonal changes, medications that cause dry mouth, and poor immune system function.
- Tooth Decay: Receding gums and increased tooth sensitivity make older adults more prone to tooth decay.
- Stained Teeth: As we age, our teeth become more porous due to wear and tear, making them easier to stain from foods like coffee or red wine.
So what can aging adults do to maintain their oral health?
- Regular check-ups: It’s important for everyone to visit a holistic biological dentist regularly but particularly important for aging adults as they’re more prone to developing dental problems. Schedule regular appointments with your dentist every six months or so in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Good Nutrition: Healthy eating is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It reduces the intake of sugary food – which promotes tooth decay – while promoting leafy greens. It provides elements needed by bones.
Make sure you include a variety of foods that are rich in calcium (milk), vitamin C (oranges), and phosphorus- peanuts seeds sunflower etc- omega 3s fish sardines nuts & eggs- along with magnesium avocados almonds dark chocolate spinach broccoli kale yoghurt oranges bananas lentils beans sweet potatoes carrots etc- within your diets regimen.
- Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene habits will keep bacteria at bay. Be sure to brush twice daily, and floss once per day – preferably evening before bedtime. However, if necessary, consult a holistic biological dentist.
- Avoid Medications: Avoid medications that have been attributed to tooth decay and gum disease such as antihistamines, dry mouth tablets, etc. Check with your dentist before taking any medication.
- Stay Hydrated: Many older adults take a wide range of prescription drugs for medical reasons. This may alter the body’s ability to produce enough saliva which can lead to dry mouth.
This condition needs attention because saliva is a natural defense against cavities and gum diseases. It reins in bacterial growth.
How Does Holistic Dental Care Help Older Adults?
A holistic biological dentist for aging adults addresses these challenges through:
1. Natural Remedies
Holistic dentists may use natural remedies like probiotics, herbal salves, or alternative therapies, which aim to support one’s whole body–mind, body, and spirit – not just for oral health but also in promoting overall well-being.
2. Individualized Treatment Plans
Another aspect of holistic dental care is treating every patient as an individual with unique needs. Older adult patients may require different types of treatments compared to younger patients due to their specific medical conditions or other factors such as medications they are taking. Also, procedures like restorative fillings are tailored for specific patients.
3. Nutritional Counseling
Many times what we eat has a direct impact on our overall health including oral health. This is why nutritional counseling plays an important role in holistic dental care for older adults, especially those struggling with chronic diseases like diabetes which also affect their teeth and gums.
4. Preventative Measures
As holistic biological dentists emphasize, prevention is better than cure!
Holistic dentistry encourages preventive measures like regular checkups and cleanings along with fluoride supplements and periodontist cleanings which prevent serious dental issues before they occur in the first place.
5. Safe Amalgam Removal
For many years, amalgam fillings were used extensively, but more recently concerns have risen about the mercury contained in these fillings. Holistic biological dentists use safe removal techniques of amalgam fillings which consists of a process called “SMART,” an acronym that stands for Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique.
In conclusion, holistic dental care can be immensely beneficial for older adults to maintain their oral health and overall well-being. By following individualized treatment plans with natural remedies, nutritional counseling practices preventative measures, and safe amalgam filling removals, patients can ensure a healthy and happy smile well into their golden years.
How do you choose?
Choosing a holistic biological dentist is an important decision that demands careful consideration before proceeding with any treatment plan.
What are the most crucial considerations when selecting a holistic dentist?
1) Are they licensed and well-qualified?
Just like standard facilities, it’s important to check their licensing, credentials, training, and reviews from previous patients when deciding on where you choose to put your trust
2) What technology do they use in practice?
Holistic practices often invest heavily in state-of-the-art tools such as digital X-rays that produce less radiation and induce 4K imaging resulting in better diagnosis accuracy.
3) Does their office promote HSE norms?
Cleanliness and hygiene standards including sterilization protocols must go beyond just your comfort level but an enforceable criterion exercising caution towards cross-contamination or bioaerosol infection.
4) Do they offer a range of treatments/therapies?
From oral cancer screenings without traditional biopsy needle methods and ozone therapy to minimally invasive gum revisions using lasers or similar advanced tech options availability, an ideal holistic biological dentist should be able to meet every specific need and ensure that it is catered to exactly according to patients’ preferences.
