LOW-COST SENIOR DENTAL CARE IN CUPERTINO,

Dr. Craig Mitchell, DDS, and Dr. Rudy Dittrich, DDS of DeAnza Family Dentistry have been providing compassionate dental care for our senior citizens for over 30 years in the Cupertino, San Jose, Saratoga, Sunnyvale, and Los Gatos areas. Elderly patients have special needs and often benefit from extra attention to create dependable and trusted healthcare options.

Beginning with easy wheelchair access and disabled parking right in front of our doorway, you will find our welcoming and knowledgeable team ready to attend to your every need. You’ll find the calm demeanor of our dentists comforting, and we will never shame a patient for a lack of proper care. We genuinely love helping guide our patients to improved overall health, beginning with the mouth. We understand the importance of the oral-systemic connection and how the mouth is a gateway to overall health

COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL EXAM BY YOUR DENTIST

Beginning with a comprehensive medical history review is important to identify any contributing conditions, lifestyle situations, or habits that might not be supporting optimal oral health. We have found that many medications, particularly high blood pressure medications, hormonal medications, allergy medications, anti-depressants, asthma and seizure medications, and even cholesterol medications, can affect the oral cavity. Certain medications can cause a condition called dry mouth (xerostomia), which lessens the amount of saliva produced, minimizing the body’s defense against neutralizing sugars or acidic attacks that can cause cavities.

Patients with certain medical conditions or physical limitations, such as dementia, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s disease, may have additional challenges with taking care of their teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities, bone loss, and infections. Patients with diabetes, in particular, can have oral shifts that cause irritated gums, bone loss, periodontal disease, and frequent cavities. The dentist should be the oral physician of the mouth. Certain symptoms that we may identify in the oral tissues can imply underlying problems elsewhere in the body as well.

COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL EXAM FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS

Once we have completed reviewing your medical condition, we look at your dental history, and our patients appreciate that we offer comfortable panoramic X-rays, which allow us to see our entire jaw in a single view. Being able to look at the bigger picture while finding out more about your dental history and previous care gives us a better understanding of your needs going forward. If a patient has frequent cavities, we can look at a multitude of factors, including diet, home care, medications, the quality of prior dental work, and overall health, to provide a better long-term solution. Patients with loose dentures might be able to be helped with dental implants to stabilize them. During your dental exam, we will be evaluating the health of your gums, and checking for gum recession. We will also be looking for excessive wear on your teeth, loose teeth, bone loss, decay around the edges of old fillings and crowns, evaluating for dry mouth, and checking for loose or poor-fitting dentures. We will also conduct a head and neck exam for oral cancer screening.

CHOOSING A DENTIST WHO CATERS TO SENIORS

We understand that choosing a new dentist for yourself or your family can sometimes be intimidating, which is why DeAnza Family Dentistry has been so successful for over 30 years in Silicon Valley. Patients choose us for our humble yet dependable and convenient services, coupled with our gentle approach to patient care. We feel that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and to have access to optimal oral health. Our commitment is to see our patients on time and treat them with respect while providing reliable, problem-free dentistry. You will never feel rushed or pressured in our office. We only schedule one patient at a time, and you will never feel like you are “just a number” in a clinic.  Years of smoking, poor oral habits, a bad diet, and certain medications, can take their toll on your teeth. We will make sure to help identify these issues and point them out to help steer your oral health in the right direction. We can also guide you as to the best oral care products to use at home to help with home care. 

DENTAL SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

We provide a full range of services, from cleanings and exams to restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns as well as dentures and partial dentures. We even offer cosmetic services to our seniors such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and full mouth reconstruction. Another concern that many adults have is snoring and sleep apnea. We can assist in guiding you to the correct solutions to address this as it can be potentially a sign of a health risk-associated condition. We understand the value of being able to eat and chew your food well as well as smile with confidence. This is why we work closely with a selected team of local specialists nearby to provide more advanced services such as orthodontics, dental implants, root canals, and extractions.

We have found that having regular preventive care check-ups is the best thing you can do to preserve the health of your teeth. This is even important even for patients who wear dentures because, over time, they can begin to fit poorly due to bone loss and sore spots can occur from chronic irritation. In some instances, we may suggest replacing them with a better-fitting denture or partial denture. In other cases, a dental implant may be indicated to help support and stabilize the bone and the denture to improve chewing function and preserve the bone.

According to both the National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 out of every 5 adults over the age of 65 have untreated cavities, and 2 out of every 3 have some level of gum disease. Skipping regular dental care can lead to many additional preventable situations. It’s never too late to begin healing and restoring your mouth. Our mission is to help provide easy access to our local seniors so they can confidently and successfully maintain optimal oral health. Forgoing regular care can have long-term consequences. In addition to the direct consequences of affecting your ability to eat and speak, it can affect one’s confidence and mental well-being. Tooth loss can affect your overall nutrition. In addition, poor periodontal health has been shown to be a factor in putting you at higher risk for heart attack, stroke, bacterial pneumonia, and uncontrolled diabetes.

SENIOR DENTAL CARE NEAR ME

It’s important not only to find the right dentist for your individual needs but also one that is close and convenient. We work closely with many local eldercare facilities that provide transportation to our office. Conveniently located just off DeAnza Boulevard in Cupertino, close to Stevens Creek Blvd. (centrally located between Hwy 85 and Hwy 280) in Silicon Valley, our office attracts patients from Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Campbell, Milpitas, and Hayward.

FINANCIAL OPTIONS FOR SENIORS NEEDING DENTAL CARE

We try to not let financial restrictions stand in the way of helping our patients who have missing teeth, multiple decayed teeth, broken fillings, or a poor-fitting denture get the care they need. As a result, we offer many options for financing at our office. We will be happy to submit any dental insurance for you to keep things simple. In addition, we have third-party options that can offer you payments that fit within your budget. While most basic Medicare plans do not cover dental services, some Medicaid Advantage plans may. Our front desk team will be happy to provide a complimentary plan benefit check in advance of your visit if you have any questions about your coverage. 

HOME DENTAL CARE FOR SENIORS

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after meals and before bedtime can go a long way to good oral hygiene. Include daily flossing to get those areas the toothbrush can’t reach. Use fluoridated toothpaste or rinse. Drink plenty of water – typically trying to get at least 4-6 glasses a day to keep your body hydrated will be helpful. Consider artificial saliva replacements if you have a dry mouth. There are also moisturizing oral rinses that can help. Finally, maintain regular check-ups with your dentist.

HOW TO BEST PREPARE FOR YOUR DENTAL VISIT

We can email you a copy of our new patient form to complete in advance or you can even download it online in our FORMS section of the website. Because of the current health concerns and for your safety, we space out our patient’s appointments to allow plenty of time to disinfect our operatories as well as minimize any interaction with other patients. You are welcome to call from your car (408-255-9422) when you arrive and we will let you know when we are ready for you. If you come with a family member or relative, we may ask them to drop you off and stay in the car for extra safety, unless you need them to help translate or move you around.

Many of our geriatric patients are taking several medications. Because of this, we encourage you to bring with you a current written list of ALL YOUR MEDICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTS and the dosages, since it can be challenging trying to remember what you may be taking from your medical doctor. Bring a list of any medical conditions or allergies you have, along with the contact information for your primary medical healthcare providers. Be sure to bring your insurance cards or appliances, such as dentures, partials, snore guards, or night guards, etc. that you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Care for Seniors

Q: Why is dental care important for seniors? A: Dental care is important for seniors because aging can lead to changes in oral health. Seniors may experience dry mouth, gum disease, and other dental issues that can lead to tooth loss, difficulty eating, and other health problems.

Q: What are some common dental issues that seniors face? A: Some common dental issues that seniors face include gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, and tooth loss. These issues can be caused by factors such as aging, medications, and medical conditions.

Q: How can seniors maintain good oral health? A: Seniors can maintain good oral health by brushing and flossing regularly, visiting the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a healthy diet. Seniors should also avoid tobacco and limit their alcohol consumption.

Q: What should seniors look for in a dentist? A: Seniors should look for a dentist who is experienced in treating older patients and who is knowledgeable about the unique dental issues that seniors face. They should also look for a dentist who is patient and understanding, and who takes the time to explain procedures and answer questions.

Q: What can seniors do if they are unable to brush or floss on their own? A: Seniors who are unable to brush or floss on their own may benefit from using oral hygiene aids such as electric toothbrushes, floss holders, and water flossers. They can also ask their caregiver or a family member to help them with oral hygiene.

Q: Are there any dental treatments that should be avoided for seniors? A: There are some dental treatments that may be riskier for seniors, such as dental implants or oral surgery. However, each case is unique and will be evaluated by Dr. Mitchell on an individual basis.

Q: Can dentures be used to replace missing teeth in seniors? A: Yes, dentures are a common treatment option for seniors who are missing teeth. There are several types of dentures available, including partial dentures and full dentures. These days, we are even providing dental implants to support dentures and partial dentures by placing dental implants to add stability when there isn’t enough bone available for them to rest upon.

Q: What should seniors do if they experience dental pain or discomfort? A: Seniors who experience dental pain or discomfort should schedule an appointment with their dentist as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can lead to further dental problems and may result in more invasive procedures.

Q: Do dental problems impact the overall health of seniors? A: Yes, dental problems can impact the overall health of seniors. Poor oral health has been linked to a range of health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and dementia.

Q: How can seniors afford dental care? A: Seniors may be eligible for dental coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, or they may be able to purchase individual dental insurance. Ask us about our reduced fees or payment plans for seniors who are on a fixed income. We want oral health to be available to all our patients.

With regular maintenance check-ups, we can help avoid or at least slow down the progress of any of these dental conditions and help you stay healthy. Dr. Craig Mitchell and his staff are committed to being your partners in dental health!

We look forward to meeting you and providing you with excellent care!

Give our Cupertino Dental office a call today! 408-255-9422