The years just seem to fly by… and sometimes those years can start showing up in your smile. The truth is, your teeth are one of the first things that show your age. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Good oral health habits, including regular visits to your dentist, can keep your teeth looking and feeling great, well into your golden years.

Six Problems – Limitless Solutions

Good health and confidence are major factors in your day-to-day enjoyment of life. That’s why some of the common dental problems seniors begin to experience can be so difficult, even devastating. Dr. John Tague has years of experience working with retired and senior patients and can offer the most up-to-date solutions available to modern seniors, allowing them to live more fully – for longer – than ever before.

Here are 6 of the most common problems in senior smiles and our comfortable and long-lasting solutions.

• Cavities & Root Decay – As gums recede, roots become exposed, sensitive, and more vulnerable to decay. Dr. Tague can help with dental bonding, tissue grafts, and regular Fluoride treatments.

• Gum Disease – Anything from medications to dry mouth can contribute to gum disease, but it is not an inevitable part of aging. Regular checkups, cleanings and periodontal care help keep gums in good shape by removing the bacteria that leads to gum disease. This is one of the most important aspects of senior dental care: gum disease will not only cause tooth loss, it can also worsen diabetes, lead to strokes and heart attacks, and even cause cancer.

• Dark or Discolored Teeth – A lifetime of eating and drinking, along with changes in dentin, can make your smile look greyish or yellow. Our teeth whitening systems can help remove surface stains while porcelain veneers can cover your teeth with a brand new and dazzling surface.

• Shortening, Wearing Down, & Breakage of Teeth – When teeth wear down, they become more susceptible to decay and can cause TMJ problems such as headaches. Shorter teeth also collapse your face, making you look older. Porcelain dental crowns and veneers can lengthen, strengthen and repair any smile.

• Tooth Loss – It is one of the most distressing occurrences in seniors. Tooth loss does not have to mean enduring uncomfortable dentures or partials. Dr. Tague offers comfortable and aesthetically pleasing full and partial dentures, designed for superior fit and appearance. Even better, dental implants or implant supported dentures, replace both the tooth and the root for the ultimate in comfort, function, and stability.

• Denture Discomfort – Dentures can cause unbearable discomfort or embarrassment. That’s why Dr. Tague recommends dental implants or implant supported dentures for his patients who are missing teeth. Because the implant posts become integrated into the jaw bone, they effectively replace your tooth root, preventing bone loss and letting you eat anything you’d like.

If you are over 60 and have any questions about how to better care for your teeth, please give us a call at our  St. Petersburg dental office. Dr. Tague is here to help you enjoy life to the fullest with dentistry tailored to your specific needs.