ADA statistics confirm that the Baby Boomer generation is dominating the oral healthcare market - in fact, baby boomer numbers will reach as high as 79 million during the career of current dental graduates. This "Senior Tsunami" is changing dentistry. These aging boomers have a very different attitude towards dentistry than did their predecessors. They no longer consider tooth loss an inevitable consequence of aging and are willing to "put their money where their mouth is" if care is available.
Better dental and health care as well as water fluoridation has contributed to healthier teeth in much of the boomer population than in preceding generations. But boomers don't want to just keep their teeth - they want them to look good as well, giving them a more youthful, attractive appearance. Cosmetic procedures like tooth whitening and veneers are among the most popular treatments requested.
It is important to remember that a great deal more than mere appearance is at stake. An array of complex conditions become more common with advancing age, and failure to maintain proper dental care can have adverse consequences on overall health. Periodontal, or gum disease is treated quite seriously by today's dentists because researchers have discovered periodontal pathogens in plaques that have built up within arteries. Research has clearly linked periodontal disease with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and chronic kidney disease.
Many boomers have silver amalgam fillings, which require occasional replacement. With each re-filling, more of the original tooth has to be removed. At some point, the tooth will become too weak to support another filling. Fortunately, new technology uses a special kind of ceramic that can replace dental anatomy lost to cavities, fillings or cracks. This ceramic material contracts and expands at the same rate as natural teeth, thus causing less stress on the remaining tooth and surrounding teeth. It also is quite durable, creating a long-lasting restoration that looks like a normal tooth.
Increasingly, dentists are moving away from the old "drill, fill and bill" model of treatment. Instead, they focus on educating their patients about oral care to prevent the need for fillings and other treatments. Everyone can benefit from good oral hygiene practices as well as seeing a dentist every six months, but this is especially important for the aging population. Paying close attention to gums and teeth, and knowing how to spot potential problems early, is a skill that boomers should focus on developing.
Bleeding gums, loose teeth, a bad taste in your mouth or other symptoms should be a red flag to you, indicating possible gum disease. Reduced saliva output is the most obvious symptom of dry mouth, and both these problems require a prompt visit to your dentist. Additionally, your dental health provider will check for oral cancer.
Not unlike many people of all ages, some baby boomers have a fear of dental exams and treatments. Others experience great discomfort during oral procedures due to jaw pain, gagging or other problems. Sedation dentistry uses medications to calm and relax patients prior to procedures. It is needle free, safe, and results in an experience free of discomfort, pain and fear while getting the treatment you need. Furthermore, lengthy treatments can be completed in a single session rather than multiple visits in some cases when using sedation dentistry techniques. - 29879
Better dental and health care as well as water fluoridation has contributed to healthier teeth in much of the boomer population than in preceding generations. But boomers don't want to just keep their teeth - they want them to look good as well, giving them a more youthful, attractive appearance. Cosmetic procedures like tooth whitening and veneers are among the most popular treatments requested.
It is important to remember that a great deal more than mere appearance is at stake. An array of complex conditions become more common with advancing age, and failure to maintain proper dental care can have adverse consequences on overall health. Periodontal, or gum disease is treated quite seriously by today's dentists because researchers have discovered periodontal pathogens in plaques that have built up within arteries. Research has clearly linked periodontal disease with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and chronic kidney disease.
Many boomers have silver amalgam fillings, which require occasional replacement. With each re-filling, more of the original tooth has to be removed. At some point, the tooth will become too weak to support another filling. Fortunately, new technology uses a special kind of ceramic that can replace dental anatomy lost to cavities, fillings or cracks. This ceramic material contracts and expands at the same rate as natural teeth, thus causing less stress on the remaining tooth and surrounding teeth. It also is quite durable, creating a long-lasting restoration that looks like a normal tooth.
Increasingly, dentists are moving away from the old "drill, fill and bill" model of treatment. Instead, they focus on educating their patients about oral care to prevent the need for fillings and other treatments. Everyone can benefit from good oral hygiene practices as well as seeing a dentist every six months, but this is especially important for the aging population. Paying close attention to gums and teeth, and knowing how to spot potential problems early, is a skill that boomers should focus on developing.
Bleeding gums, loose teeth, a bad taste in your mouth or other symptoms should be a red flag to you, indicating possible gum disease. Reduced saliva output is the most obvious symptom of dry mouth, and both these problems require a prompt visit to your dentist. Additionally, your dental health provider will check for oral cancer.
Not unlike many people of all ages, some baby boomers have a fear of dental exams and treatments. Others experience great discomfort during oral procedures due to jaw pain, gagging or other problems. Sedation dentistry uses medications to calm and relax patients prior to procedures. It is needle free, safe, and results in an experience free of discomfort, pain and fear while getting the treatment you need. Furthermore, lengthy treatments can be completed in a single session rather than multiple visits in some cases when using sedation dentistry techniques. - 29879
About the Author:
In Portland Oregon, call on West Hills Dental Center, a dental office that recognizes the needs of the baby boomer generation and has prepared his office to be experts in the dentistry needs of the boomer population. West Hills Dental Center also offers sedation dentistry for those who prefer this option. Powered by SEO 2.0 Optimization Services
