Archive for the ‘Portable Dentistry’ Category

I have the pleasure visiting some of our homebound senior citizens and treating them each week with our  PortableDentalServices.com dental van.  Each visit is quite powerful because it helps us get insight into our patient’s eating habits and evaluate their previous dentistry. 

This past week I had a patient who had his teeth “patched” up over his 80 years or so.  He held his dentist in high regard in that he trusted him and valued his opinion over the years.  He had lost some fillings over the past year that he thought needed to be refilled.  The truth was that he had some enormous fillings in his teeth to the point that there was nothing left to fill. 

He had a dry mouth which I find in many of my patients who are on multiple medications.  These medications dry out the mouth leaving their teeth prone to dental decay.  We usually find that when faced with chronic dry mouth these patients start sucking on candies or drinking soda to keep their mouths wet.  This exposure to sugars and refined carbohydrates are bad because they promote dental decay. 

When this home bound patient was examined he had many cavities.  Only if his dentist didn’t do him “such a favor” and do patch work he would have avoided this massive breakdown of the teeth.  Even though It is possible to get cavities under crowns he would have been best served with crowns (caps).  For patients who are at risk for these cavities they should be treated with crowns that cover the entire tooth. 

Sometimes the good intentions of some dentists to do as little as possible for a patient seems to be the best.  The reality is that broken teeth, large cavities, root canals, food traps and poor oral hygiene can be a consequence of the “let’s just watch it” attitude of some dentists.  Just be careful that when a cavity and broken filling is so large that a crown is suggested, it would be a wise decision to do so. 

So Complete Dentistry is to do the most conservative procedures but know when it is wise to invest in more invasive procedures such as crowns, implants, root canals and dental bridges.  At our office we take digital photos of the entire jaw so that you can actually see where there are areas of concern.  This way you can make the most informed decision for your best level of care.

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home.  His motto is to “relax while we take care of your smile”. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb county Michigan

Question: I am looking for a nursing facility to keep my father at since his care is failing. I live in Macomb county and have questions about what to ask in reference to his total health care.   By reading your monthly Ask the Dentist article I do know that dental care is important when it comes to total overall care. Please Advise Mary P. Clinton Twp. Michigan.

Answer: Elderly people who live in nursing homes in the Macomb and Oakland county area of Michigan are at greater risk for oral health problems compared to elderly people who live independently, according to a study published in the July/August 2002 issue of General Dentistry, the clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

Thanks in part to widespread fluoridation, more people than ever before are keeping their teeth throughout their lives. But as people age, medical complications and other factors can negatively affect oral health. Evidence shows that older Americans are at risk for greater oral health problems than other groups because of age and the inability to get to a dentist’s office due to an existing medical condition or lack of transportation.

Oral health of frail elders residing in long-term care facilities is very poor, and most of the care at nursing homes is medical care and nursing care. Often oral care is overlooked and ignored for the homebound. We at Portable Dental Services have found that nurses and other health care providers haven’t been trained or aren’t willing to take the extra step in enhancing ones oral care. In fact I have found that there is an attitude of disgust when it comes to the mouth of other people. I have had some very positive experiences when it comes to their effort in providing oral care. You just have to really research and ask some important questions to the nursing staff.

Children or other relatives should take an active role in the oral health needs of elderly people residing in nursing homes. Assisting with brushing, flossing and general oral care must be promoted by the family members since no one else will advocate for the elderly patient than a relative or friend of a loved one. If there are questions about need our mobile, in the home dental care service is available for those who reside in Oakland and Macomb counties Michigan by visiting www.PortableDentalServices.com. or calling (586)873-5567.

According to the report, greater awareness among health care providers and caregivers can do much to ensure the elderly receive good oral health care, primarily through assessments of the patient’s mouth.

Before choosing a nursing home for an elderly person, relatives and loved ones should inquire about the quality and consistency of dental care at the facility. Questions one should ask are:

• Does the home have on-call dentists?
• Is nursing-home staff trained in basic mouth care?
• Is the staff trained to recognize oral problems?
• Does nursing home staff emphasize mouth care at least once a day?

If the staff or home administrator can’t say ‘yes’ to each of these questions, then a red flag should go up

Dr. Antolak treats his dental patients in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere where you are treated like a guest in the home. His motto is to “relax while we take care of your smile”. He specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and general dentistry using sedation dentistry if necessary for his high fear patients. He has been treating patients for the past 21 years and is located in Shelby Township, Macomb County Michigan. For more information visit our Shelby Dentist website or call at 586-247-3500