Many people think that after a certain age, you don’t need to worry about your teeth. In fact, dental care and regular visits to the dentist are important no matter how old you are. It’s never too late to fix or replace your teeth!

Teeth change with age

Your mouth is constantly changing. Its shape and structure vary not only with age, but also with stress, medications, lifestyle, diet and other factors.

Even if you haven’t had any problems for many years, cavities can recur with age as your mouth becomes drier, fillings wear out or your health or lifestyle changes.

Teeth become looser with age, exposing their roots. This often leads to enhanced sensitivity and greater vulnerability to cavities.

Replacing teeth

It is important to replace missing teeth, not only to improve your appearance, but also to help you chew properly and maintain your dental health.

Your dentist can advise you on the options that best suit your needs and clinical condition.

Dry mouth

A dry mouth can be a side effect of medication (for instance, for high blood pressure, asthma, anxiety or depression). It can also be caused by radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

There are drugs available that can increase saliva production. If you are suffering from a dry mouth, ask your dentist.

The importance of dental examinations

Dental examinations are important no matter how old you are, or whether or not you have teeth. Although cavities and broken teeth may not be painful at first, they will require more complex and costly treatment later on if ignored.

In fact, oral cancer is apparently more frequent among the elderly, so early detection is all the more important. An ounce of prevention …

Your mouth is telling you something!

The following symptoms can indicate dental or medical problems:

• Bleeding gums that persists more than three weeks
• Teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, sugar or pressure
• Red or white spots, swelling or sores in the mouth or on the lips
• Dry mouth
• Red and burning mouth
• Loose teeth

Low-income dental services

Dental faculties have dental clinics that offer services at a lower cost than private dental offices. The dental care is given by dentistry students, under the supervision of professors and dentists in private practice.

Since these clinics do not offer walk-in emergency services, you will have to plan ahead and make an appointment. Note that there is a selection process for different types of treatment.

Université de Montréal dental clinic
To become a patient of the clinic, you must complete an admission form you can request over the telephone or pick up at the clinic

Roger Gaudry Building – Entrance B-1, reception window
2900 Édouard-Montpetit Blvd.
Montreal, Quebec   H3T 1J4
Tel.: 514 343-6750
www.medent.umontreal.ca under “Clinique dentaire”

Université Laval dental clinic
Dentistry Building
2420 rue de la Terrasse, Suite 1615
Quebec City, Quebec  G1V 0A6
www.fmd.ulaval.ca, under “Cliniques pour la population”

Undergraduate students’ clinic
Tel.: 418 656-5840

Graduate students’ clinic
Tel.: 418 656-5537

McGill University dental clinic
First fill out the online application form, at www.mcgill.ca/dentistry/clinic/mccall/
1650 Cedar Avenue, Room A3-101
Montreal, Quebec  H3G 1A4
Tel.: 514 934-8042