At Fresh Meadows Dental Care in Oakland Gardens, we believe nobody should suffer from toothaches. And yet, information from 2011-2012 collected by the Centers for Disease control showed nearly twenty percent of people over age sixty-five have untreated tooth decay. In order to get those numbers down, we have to look at the reasons why seniors may have poor oral health.
Most seniors did not have access to fluoridated water growing up, which means they are especially vulnerable to tooth decay. But because we see caries develop in people who kept good hygiene earlier in life, something else must be going on. Many older people are on medications which cause dry mouth as a side effect. This condition makes it harder for the body to fight off infections from bacteria, including the ones responsible for tooth decay. While forgetfulness cannot be ruled out as a cause of lax hygiene, older patients also frequently suffer from limited dexterity, preventing them from brushing and flossing normally. Many seniors also do not have coverage for dental visits, limiting their access to professional cleanings.
Our dental office works with our patients to address all of these problems. We offer individual dental coverage at low prices and flexible payment plans. We can also help our patients find toothpaste and other dental products appropriate to their needs.
Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Oakland Gardens, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit FreshMeadowsDental.com and fill out a contact form.
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