Lots of people find that when they get older, those golden years bring lots of new cavities. Why would you suddenly start getting cavities when you are in your 60’s or 70’s? Most of the time you can blame your medications!

One side effect of many medications, including those for allergies, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression (a lot of the most common prescriptions written today) is reduced saliva flow. This is called xerostomia or “dry mouth” and it is one reason you need to tell your dentist about all of your medications you may be taking. If you are on a medication that causes dry mouth here are some suggestions to reduce your risk of dentla decay:

• Use over-the-counter oral moisturizers – these ususally come in spray or rinse form
• Drink lots of water all day long. This helps rinse food debris from your mouth and keeps the tissues moist.
• Chew sugar-free gum (those containing xylitol are most helpful) or suck on sugar-free candies to stimulate saliva flow
• Avoid beverages that add to the problem like coffee, alcohol and carbonated soft drinks
• Check with your physician to see if a lower dose or different medication could help

Dry mouth not only leads to more dental decay but your gums can be affected as well.  This is not the time of life to skip your dental checkups.

Regular dental hygiene visits can help clear away plaque and bacteria so you can maintain good oral health – which leads to better overall health – as you age. It is not unusual to have decay under older dental restorations. In some cases the decay may require removal of the tooth. While dental bridges are still used in some cases to replace the missing tooth, a far more popular and natural feeling option is a dental implant.

Dental implants act just like tooth roots and the restoration is completed with a special crown. The resulting tooth looks and feels like your natural tooth.

Please contact cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy in Columbus, OH today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your next appointment.