TTC_06_22_16_Vol.12-No.34.p1-16

June 22 - 28, 2016 www.TheTownCommon.com Page 13
Health & Wellness
By J. Peter St. Clair, DMD
I understand that periodontal
disease is a major cause of
tooth loss in adults, but is there
anything I can do about it?
Gum disease—periodontal
disease—often progresses slowly,
without pain, over a long period
of time. This is one reason why it
is common among older adults.
The longer the disease goes
undetected and uncontrolled, the
more damage it causes to gums
and other supporting tissues.
Although periodontal disease is
caused by bacteria, other factors
can increase the risk or severity of
the condition. These include food
left between the teeth, smoking,
smokeless (spit) tobacco use,
badly aligned teeth, ill-fitting
bridges or partial dentures, poor
diets and some systemic diseases
such as diabetes.
Although periodontal disease
is common, it can be controlled
or arrested. In its early stages,
it can be reversed. Treatment
of advanced cases may require
surgery. Look for these warning
signs and see your dentist if you
notice any of them: bleeding
gums when you brush; red,
tender or swollen gums; gums
that have pulled away from the
teeth; pus between your teeth
and gums when the gums are
Brighter Smiles...
Dental Changes With Age – Part 2
pressed; loose teeth or teeth that
are moving apart; any change in
your bite; any change in the fit
of your partial dentures; constant
bad breath or bad taste.
My dentures don’t feel as
comfortable as they once did.
Before I see the dentist, should
I try some different products
myself to try to improve them?
Your dentures were made to
fit precisely. If they are cared for
properly, they do not change
shape. They can become loose
due to natural changes in the
gums and bone supporting them.
As the jawbone begins to shrink,
so do the gums. In addition, the
teeth wear over time and become
less effective during chewing.
Most dentures should be replaced
every 5-8 years.
When your dentures do not fit
properly, see your dentist as soon
as possible so adjustments can be
made. Professional relining of the
denture may extend its lifespan.
Do not try to change the fit of
your dentures yourself. This can
damage them and make them
unrepairable.
If I have full dentures, do I
really need to see the dentist as
often as before?
Even if you no longer have
your natural teeth, you should
see your dentist once a year for
an oral examination. The dentist
will examine your mouth to
check for any problem with the
gum ridges, the tongue and the
joints of the jaw, as well as screen
for oral cancer. For a variety of
Senior Scene
spray -- that were supposed to
be rated at SPF 30 or higher.
Unfortunately, 43 percent of them
turned out not to have what was
on the label. A few even tested
at less than 15, half of what was
promised. This problem isn’t only
for this year; Consumer Reports
has found the same results over
the past four years.
A big concern, especially if
you keep sunscreen to slather
on grandchildren, is that the
manufacturers don’t even have to
submit their product to the Food
and Drug Administration for
analysis, and they don’t have to
test the products unless there’s a
reformulation.
No matter which sunscreen
reasons, many older adults are
more susceptible to oral diseases,
including oral cancer. About 95
percent of all cancers are found
What do you
in people over age 40. However,
many of these cancers are treatable
look for in a dentist?
if detected early. Oral tissues are
The
also checked for signs of
Town
other
Com
diseases that can first manifest
• Clean, modern facility
themselves in the mouth.
• On-schedule Treatment
I am currently taking
• Individual Attention
medication that my physician
• Superior Clinical Skills
prescribed for me. Can this
• Financial Flexibility
affect my dental treatment?
• Friendly/Personable Staff
When your dentist asks for
your medical history, be sure to
Please call our office to
provide complete, up-to-date
schedule a complimentary
information on your health.
30 minute consultation.
Inform your dentist if you have
experienced recent hospitalization 151 Central Street, Rowley | 978-948-2030 | www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com
or surgery, or if you have recently
been ill. Also tell the dentist the
names, doses and frequency of
any medications you are taking,
whether prescription or overthe-counter
products, and the
name of your physician. This
information will help the dentist
to select the most safe and
effective method of treatment for
you.
….to be continued
Dr. St. Clair maintains a private
dental practice in Rowley and
Newburyport dedicated to healthcentered
family dentistry. If there
are certain topics you would like to
see written about or questions you
have please email them to him at
jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can
view all previously written columns
at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/
In Home Senior Care
blog.
The Town Comm
Personal Care & Companion/Homemaker Services
Serving Serving the the Newburyport Hampshire area
& Merrimack Seacoast Valley since 2005 since 2004
978-462-6162
Sunscreen Protection Can be Guessing Game
182 State Street
The North Shore’s Largest Independent Community Ne
A blistering hot day that came
out of nowhere was a good
reminder about stocking up on
sunscreen for summer. Right
on time, Consumer Reports has
released information in their July
2016 issue indicating that we need
to beware: The SPF (sun protection
factor) on the label might not be
what we actually get when we use
the sunscreen.
Consumer Reports tested 60
sunscreens -- stick, lotion and
The North Shore’s Largest Independent Commun
we use, we have to take some
responsibility to use it correctly.
Put it on 15 to 30 minutes before
going outside. Use enough.
Reapply every two hours, or after
getting wet. Use sunscreen even
on a cloudy day. Wear a hat and
sunglasses. Don’t stay out too
long, even with sunscreen.
To read the whole article, ask
your local library if you can
access monthly magazines via a
digital download feature. Many
libraries now have this, and you
can even look at magazines right
from your home computer. Most
subscriptions, however, seem to
run a month behind what you’ll
find on the newsstands.
(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
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