Senior citizens, the fastest growing portion of the U.S. population, are keeping their teeth longer than prior generations and have special dental needs, according to dentists at the 45th annual meeting of Academy of General Dentistry.

 

As the population ages, the dental needs of the individual over 65 become increasingly specialized; each individual has different medical problems and take different prescriptions which can adversely interact with dental anesthesia.  Dental patients, especially the elderly, need to keep their dentist informed of any changes or updateds in their medical history to help prevent potentially harmful drug interactions or health conditions.

 

"Many medications cause a decrease in the saliva flow which suppresses the normal buffering action of the saliva," said Fred Margolis, DDS, one of 50 featured clinicians at the Academy of General Dentistry's annual meeting, president of the Illinois Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (IFDH), and staff dentist at a residential facility for the developmentally disabled.  "The resulting dry mouth condition can lead to dental decay and dry mouth, which can lead to tooth loss."