When you think of cosmetic dentistry, you may not be thinking of senior dentistry. Still, everyone deserves a smile they can be proud of, regardless of age. After all, a smile can give you confidence in many fields, like on the job hunt, starting new hobbies, or even dating!
“Senior citizens are actively playing the dating game, and in the last five years alone, 37 percent have dated,” – Anthony Martin, founder and CEO of Choice Mutual
But if you’ve spent years neglecting the smile you deserve, it can be hard to know where to start. If you count yourself among those struggling, look no further than Adam Brown, DDS. They’re a professional office that’s been serving the Monroe area for years and is experienced in every facet of cosmetic and general dentistry, even if you’ve been out of a dental office for some time. Don’t let age get in the way; contact their office to start your smile restoration story!
The State of Senior Dentistry
Many seniors find themselves liking their smiles less than they did in their youth. And that’s not a small part of our population! According to the 2020 Census data, the U.S. population aged 65 and over grew nearly five times faster than the total population over the 100 years from 1920 to 2020.
That leaves more people than ever interacting with senior dentistry. But it also leads to a lot of people going without care. Many lose dental insurance with retirement, as federal Medicare doesn’t include dental coverage. Keeping them out of dental offices and preventing them from receiving the care they need. This lack of care leads to a surprising amount of dental problems.
According to the CDC, older adults encounter the following oral problems:
- High rates of untreated tooth decay – most everyone aged 65 and older has had a cavity (96%), but 1 in 5 also have untreated tooth decay.
- Tooth Loss- 1 in 5 senior citizens has lost all of their teeth, and the likelihood of tooth loss increases drastically with age. Tooth loss isn’t only an aesthetic problem; it can lead to a lack of a balanced diet due to its impact on the types of foods one eats.
- Gum Disease – 2 in 3 older adults have some form of gum disease, which can be detrimental if left untreated.
- Chronic Disease- A topic we’ve touched on before, the overall state of your dental health is tied to the rest of your health. Diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis connect to your dental state and can worsen conditions.
And while the average doesn’t look positive, there are steps you can take to perfect your smile and get the confidence you deserve back! After all, it’s never too late to invest or learn about your smile. Take this review of Adam Brown DDS as an example —
How Good Dentistry Can Help
For every dental issue associated with gaining in age, there’s a way for qualified dentists to help. Adam Brown DDS is equipped to perform general and cosmetic dentistry, getting you closer to the smile of your dreams and maintaining great overall health.
General Dentistry – General dentistry can act as a preventive for several oral problems. Furthermore, Adam Brown DDS offers periodontal treatment that can reverse the rampant rates of gum disease common in older patients.
“Paying close attention to your gums is incredibly important. We all know the necessity of flossing and brushing and making sure those gums are not receding, but what about when areas of the gums begin to turn white? What is your body trying to tell you when this happens? White spots on the gums are more common than not, but most people do not understand the possible dangers that could arise because of them. Let’s take a look at some of the probable causes of white gums.“ – Adam Brown DDS
Dentures – One of the most common treatments for tooth loss is dentures. Dentures offer plenty of options for someone looking to restore their smile. Complete dentures come in two forms: Immediate and Conventional. Immediate dentures are easy to implement and ready as soon as someone loses their teeth. Often, they serve as a stopgap until a patient can receive the more long-term, conventional dentures. Conventional dentures take some time to prepare, requiring multiple numbers. Conventional dentures are molded to fit your mouth perfectly and restore the natural smile look you had in the past!
Some studies say that 19% of the population has dentures in some form. So don’t worry about the stigma! Get the smile you deserve!
Tooth Extractions – With tooth decay especially prevalent among older adults, tooth extractions can sometimes be necessary. Extractions can be medically necessary but can also remove unsightly or chipped teeth to allow for cosmetic alterations. Teeth that have decayed considerably can cause pain or other problems if not removed, so if you’ve had a tooth bothering you for some time, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a dentist.
Veneers – Likely, the fastest-growing treatment in cosmetic dentistry is veneers. Veneers are porcelain caps that go around your current teeth, resulting in a straighter and whiter smile. Years of use can stain or discolor your teeth to a point where regular whitening doesn’t work. Veneers are one of the perfect solutions to this problem! Another bonus is that, once installed, veneers are stain-resistant, letting you live confidently in your investment with a much whiter smile.
Why Worry About a Smile at My Age?
Some older readers may still have this question, but there are more reasons than you may think to invest in your appearance, even at an older age. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but at Adam Brown DDS, we’re certain you can give one a new smile.
It’s a common myth that seniors don’t care about their appearance, but studies disagree. Anxieties around appearance aren’t relegated to the youth, with many elderly respondents reporting a similar discomfort with their younger counterparts. This translates to less confidence, lower self-esteem, and an increased likelihood of staying inside.
Anxiety over appearance on the rise as over-70s struggle with stigma now surrounding aging – Karen Kay, The Guardian
As we wrote earlier, many older Americans are entering the dating world, and where better to put your best foot forward? Everyone should be able to go looking for love with a confident smile! 1 in 6 Americans ages 50 and older (17%) say they have used a dating site or app before, and having a stunning smile in your picture is a sure way to succeed. Here’s some more data about the dating statistics for older adults that may surprise you —
“For men, the proportions ranged from 32% among singles ages 57 through 64 to 27% for those ages 65 through 74 and 24% for singles ages 75 through 85. For women, 11% of singles ages 57 through 64 reported a dating partner versus 7% of single 65- to 74-year-olds and a mere 3% of 75- to 85-year-olds.” – National Institutes of Health, 2013
So, enter the dating world with confidence and schedule a time to have your smile evaluated by Adam Brown DDS today. After all, dating doesn’t belong to the youth!
Every Smile Deserves Attention – Adam Brown DDS Can Give You Just That
If one theme is rising to the top, it should be that every smile deserves attention. With 61% of Americans being unhappy with their smile (NY Post) it’s clear that many have forgone investment in their teeth, resulting in overall less happiness in their appearance.
So whether you’re older or younger, in order to have a smile that you’re happy with, you must build healthy habits and choose the right dental office to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Adam Brown DDS is experienced in helping people hit their smile goals. From the more restorative treatments to simple cleanings, they know what you need to preserve your smile or build one that can restore confidence. Just ask the many patients around Monroe and across North Carolina. They’ll tell you the same thing! So don’t let the fact that it’s been a while since your last dental appointment stop you; schedule an appointment today!