The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is urging seniors to seek a proper dental examination every six months and has compiled a short list of common concerns that seniors express about their smile.
More than half of the adult U.S. population surveyed who are older than age 50 agree that a smile is the one physical feature that stays the most attractive as we age, according to the AACD Smile Survey. The survey was conducted by Kelton between August 17 and August 23, 2012, and reached 1,018 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and older, using an email invitation and an online survey questioning them about their attitudes related to aging and beauty. The margin of error was ± 3.1%.
According to the AACD, here are the top cosmetic dentistry concerns for patients older than age 50:
Finances: Many seniors are retired and didn't budget for significant dental expenses. Therefore, early detection and conservative therapy is ideal.
Comfort: Dentures, tooth loss, and loose teeth can lead to irritation and discomfort when chewing.
Dry mouth: Certain medications and cancer radiation treatment can reduce saliva. Saliva helps bathe the teeth to help control harmful bacterial growth, which leads to tooth decay and gum disease.
Periodontal disease: Gum disease can worsen with other medical issues, while receding gums are unattractive yet can generally be corrected with nonsurgical treatments.
Yellow, stained, or worn down teeth: Most seniors want their teeth to remain functional and attractive.
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