Community Magazine October 2012

You might be around a lot longer than you think! The other day I was walking down Kings Highway when I bumped into one of my patients, a vibrant 89-year-old woman. She was wheeling her shopping cart when she stopped me to tell me about her recent visit to the hospital. “I was having some stomach problems,” she said. “The doctor wanted me to have an endoscopy, where they put a camera down your throat into your stomach. The nurse who was helping me gave me a large white cup. I asked her what it was for. She told me that it was for me to put my dentures into. I felt so good to tell her that these are my teeth. The nurse couldn’t believe it – she called over a few other nurses to show them. I felt like a movie star! I told them that I can eat anything. At my age it’s so important for me to be comfortable. Not only that, I also want to look my best.” Americans are keeping their teeth longer. Twenty years ago, over 50 percent of senior adults were missing all their teeth. Today, that number has dropped to only 20 percent. As the baby boomers grow up, we are witnessing the “graying of America,” and our older Americans are finding that comfortable teeth not only are important for eating and speaking, but also make them feel and look good, thus improving their overall quality of life. Older adults who are unable to chew because of missing or worn out teeth find themselves frustrated when they are faced with a soft, mushy diet of oatmeal and baby food, and many complain that even when they smile, people can’t see their teeth. The Best Bite for the Best Price There is a natural process of wearing down that happens to all our teeth, but by restoring the teeth to their proper size and shape, the smile suddenly sparkles. A dental implant is a replacement for a missing tooth or teeth. Second only to natural teeth, dental implants will give the best bite and make chewing the most comfortable. The very high success rate of dental implants allows many older adults who have lost some or all of their teeth to once again enjoy chewing and smiling without the embarrassment of loose dentures. There are alternatives to doing implants –besides doing absolutely nothing at all – including using the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, if possible, as a support for a bridge. Many people have been discouraged from taking advantage of dental implants because of the cost. Today, however, placing an implant and a crown can be cheaper than a conventional bridge, and it offers the significant advantage of obviating the need to touch the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Seven years ago, at age 82, our vibrant lady of 89 years had her missing teeth replaced with dental implants. We also capped her worn down front teeth and gave her back her smile. At the time, many of her family members felt maybe she was too old to do such extensive dental work. But she told them she felt like she deserved to be comfortable chewing and speaking. Seven years later, she knows she made a good investment by taking care of her teeth. And those same family members who had advised against the implants often comment about how much better she looks now that she capped her teeth. You’re never too old to smile, and so you’re never too old to take care of your teeth. “I’m Too Old to Do All This Work on My Teeth!” JACQUES DOUECK, DDS Americans are keeping their teeth longer. Twenty years ago, over 50 percent of senior adults were missing all their teeth. Today, that number has dropped to only 20 percent 82 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE