TTC_07_17_19_Vol.15-No.38.p1-12

July 17 - July 23, 2019 www.TheTownCommon.com Page 9
Health & Wellness
BY J. PETER ST. CLAIR, DMD
This is the final column of
this series. If you missed any of
the past segments, you can find
them at www.thetowncommon.
com.
I’ve heard of some new
cosmetic techniques that
can improve smiles. Are they
appropriate for older adults?
Older adults can benefit from
many of the options available
today for improving the look of
a smile. Your dentist can describe
and discuss with you the range of
treatments that would be right
for you. Part of older adulthood
is the acceptance of aging and
the development of realistic
expectations for appearance. In
that context, dental treatment
for older adults can be a healthy
and adaptive way of maintaining
dental health and emotional
well-being.
Our teeth and mouth play
a critical role in psychological
development and well-being
throughout our lives. Modern
dentistry has expanded esthetic
options for people of all ages.
Coupled with good oral hygiene
and regular dental visits, cosmetic
techniques can help improve the
appearance of your smile.
According to an AARP study, onethird
of seniors are lonely. Another
study revealed that loneliness and
social isolation can cause increased
mortality. Yet another study talks about
cognitive decline and depression.
It can be a vicious cycle: If we’re
depressed, we don’t want to go out,
which makes us more socially isolated,
which worsens our depression. We
might not feel valued, especially if
we’ve recently retired, or we’ve lost
a spouse and therefore our previous
Brighter Smiles...
COMMON ADULT QUESTIONS – PART 4/4
I’m on a limited, fixed
income and can’t really afford
regular dental treatment. Are
there any resources available to
help me?
Even if you cannot pay for
dental care, you don’t need to
live without it. Thousands of
dentists across the country assist
the elderly on fixed incomes by
offering their services at reduced
fees through dental societysponsored
assistance programs.
The availability of such aid
varies from one community
to another, so call your local
dental society for information
about where you can find the
nearest assistance programs and
low-cost dental care locations,
such as public health and dental
school clinics. Other sources of
such information are local social
service organizations.
What is dentistry doing to
better serve older adults?
Dentists are experiencing a
quiet revolution in their offices
as the number of older patients
increases steadily. The profession
knows that this burgeoning
population group is wearing
fewer dentures and is keeping
natural teeth longer. Also,
we know that some patients
in this group require special
consideration because reduced
mobility and dexterity may
make daily oral hygiene difficult.
In addition, medical conditions
and impairment are factors that
dentists take into account for
Senior Scene
Breaking the Cycle of Loneliness
social group, or we don’t know if we’d
be welcome in new places.
There are a number of ways to fight
loneliness, but we have to take the
steps to break the cycle. It’s up to us.
The biggest (and sometimes hardest)
step is to get out of the house. Just
go.
Talk to people while you’re out.
You never know what doors might
open just saying hello to someone.
Start a new hobby, ideally one that
involves others.
Get off the computer. Many of us
turn to technology and social media,
but it’s really not a cure for loneliness,
which makes us more vulnerable to
scams.
Join a group, whether at the senior
center or library, ideally a group
certain patients.
Sometimes, lack of awareness
about available treatments and
techniques leads older patients
to make false assumptions about
their dental health and tolerate
conditions such as toothaches,
bleeding gums and clicking
dentures. Dentists are gaining
practical information on how to
effectively manage the treatment
needs of older patients. Many
dental societies have set up
access programs to assist older
adults, individuals with physical
or mental disabilities or indigent
persons to receive care.
The dental profession
is increasingly sensitive to
the special needs of and the
importance of dental health in
the older patient. Older adults
are more health conscious as a
group than ever before. Their
oral health is an important part
of their overall health and the
dental profession is committed
to providing the treatment and
guidance older adults need to
maintain it.
Dr. St. Clair maintains a
private dental practice in Rowley
and Newburyport dedicated to
health-centered 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/
blog.
where people have to talk anyway,
such as a reading group. Take a class.
Have you tried tai chi? If you knit or
crochet, investigate those “coffee and
caps” groups that meet once a week to
socialize and make hats and mittens
for kids.
Do you dance or sing? Square
dancing is energizing, and choirs are
uplifting. Volunteering to walk dogs
at the humane society accomplishes
two things: you interact with others
and you train a dog to become a better
pet for a potential adopter.
No, you won’t become close pals
with everyone you meet, but you
are likely to develop a few quality
relationships. You just need to take
the first steps.
(c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
Dr. Laura anne Potvin, P.C.
oPtoMetriStS
EYE CARE
FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!
Dr. DR. nYLa NYLA LAMBERT LaMBert
Dr. DR. KatHLeen SAMANTHA Horn MEIN
Dr. DR. CATHLEEN CatHLeen DOUCETTE DouCette
NOw LOCATED AT
939 SALEM ST., GROvELAND
978-374-8991
Are you holding
back a beautiful smile?
Making your smile beautiful changes the way
people look at you and the way you look at yourself.
All Phases of Dental Care Including:
• Grinding/Clenching/TMJ Therapy
• Sleep Apnea/Snoring Treatment
Learn More: www.stclairdmd.com
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