A Different Era
If you have experienced dentistry before the modern era, you have been incredibly unlucky. Some of the stories we’ve heard about school-based dentists, terrible conditions but also gruff, rough dentists make us very sad.
And if you’re one of the unlucky ones, the chances are high that you’ve had a fair amount of work done to your teeth already.
Toothpaste never helped to prevent tooth decay until fluoride was widely available in toothpastes in the 1970’s. Toothbrushing also wasn’t commonly practiced twice a day in the years before that! So it’s no wonder that people have suffered many dental problems in the past.
Luckily, things have changed for senior dentistry.
We are living longer, enjoying a better quality of life – and at Method Dental in Grange, Brisbane, we want to keep it that way for your dental health!
What should you know about Modern Dentistry?
1. You’re not alone – many people from the same era suffer from teeth problems
And the problems tend to only get worse and more common over time.
The combination of a lack of fluoride in toothpaste and outdated dentistry techniques has left many senior Australians with many dental problems. Tooth decay, gum disease, broken or missing teeth – you name it.
The risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease also continue to rise with age and our ability to keep it all under control diminishes too. This is due to changes in our immune system, natural wear and tear and even lifestyle and other health challenges.
Oh and those old silver amalgam fillings – whilst they aren’t necessarily bad for you, they could be bad for your teeth. Cracks and decay can grow around them so we need to keep a close eye on them!
2. Dentistry has changed
But not all dentists have changed…
To us at Method Dental, modern dentistry should be basically painless, comfortable, durable and aesthetically pleasing. Older styles of dentistry do not place much focus on making patients comfortable and older styles of dental materials do not mimic natural teeth in durability or appearance.
Our dentists are thorough, gentle and informative. Find out more about our experienced team here: https://www.methoddental.com.au/our-team/
3. Preventative Dental Advice is Key
Comfortably rebuilding a broken tooth is one thing (and a thing we do well) but what about preventing that tooth or others from breaking again? What about preventing tooth decay or gum disease from developing?
Many dentists are great “tooth carpenters” but not necessarily trained or inclined to be “mouth physicians”. At Method Dental, our dentists look beyond the problem that presents in a particular appointment and delve deeper into how we can help a patient to enjoy fewer dental problems in the future.
This may involve simple dietary changes, a different toothpaste or a different interval between dental visits to keep gum disease under control.
Some examples of preventative advice for seniors include:
- Drinking water throughout the day to wash food away and keep hydrated to ensure healthy saliva flow
- Discussing dry mouth solutions with your dentist if you have noticed a dry mouth or if you are on multiple medications
- Using an electric toothbrush which has been proven to remove plaque more effectively than manual toothbrushes (Oral-B are the ones we recommend)
- Using a high strength fluoride toothpaste available at your dentist or the pharmacy if you are at particularly high risk of developing tooth decay
- Attending regular check ups at the dentist to catch problems early so solutions are easier and cheaper
What are you looking for in a dentist?
So, we advocate for you to find a dentist who makes your comfort during dental treatment a priority and one who can help you to prevent future dental problems developing. This is because of the trouble which may have found your teeth in the past and because of the increased risk of problems developing in the future.
At your local dentist in Grange, Brisbane, Method Dental, we are proactive and experts in senior dentistry. That means we thoroughly diagnose dental problems, we plan for the future and we work with you to find a plan of attack that works. This includes keeping costs within budget.
Our prices are published on our website because we believe in transparency, found here: https://www.methoddental.com.au/fees-payment-plans/
We always show you photos and x-rays, spending time with you to understand the problems that we may have found and your options for how to fix them. You’ll always receive a quote and we always try to help you maximise your rebates from your private health insurance, if you have it.
So, if you have a dentist you love already – amazing! And if you don’t, call Method Dental now to book your appointment so we can get started on working together so that you have a healthy mouth for life!