Do you wonder whether an older parent or grandparent is at risk of nutritional problems? If so, a visit to the dentist may be the first place such nutritional problems are detected.
Because the mouth is a kind of barometer of the entire body and dentists often see patients on a more routine basis more than other health professionals. They are in an excellent position to help screen for dietary problems.
Some of the signals of improper nutrition include color, texture, and physical changes in the tongue, oral soft tissues and lips, as well as actual lesions on the mouth, cracked lips and corner of the mouth and problems with salivary gland function.
People who may have nutritional problems or even other diseases that can then manifest as signs in mouth and may be referred to other health care professionals for treatment. This is an excellent opportunity for all health care professionals to work as a team in providing quality health care for older Americans.
Many older adults have a dental problem that can result in poor nutrition, tooth loss, mouth pain, ill-fitting dentures or poor periodontal (gum) health. Others lose their appetite due to a change in their sense of taste. Several factors can cause this change. Besides an age-related decrease in the sense of smell and taste, certain disease, medications and dentures can contribute to a decrease in the sense of taste.
These problems can seriously interfere with a person’s ability to chew their food and can affect their enjoyment of eating. With regular visits to our office we can help you, or your loved one, deal with nutritional problems.
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If you have questions, pls call Dr. Valerie de Leon at (650) 697–9000 or visit our website at www.millbraesmiles.com. She is with Millbrae Smile Center located at 15 El Camino Real, Millbrae 94030. She is a member of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, ADA, CDA and SMCDS. Please call for a free consultation.
( Published March 5, 2010 in Asian Journal Northern California p. B3 )
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