Dental Caries Case Studies

Oral health is often overlooked in geriatric and adolescent population. You are not healthy without good oral health. Dental caries have been an issue for the geriatric and adolescent population for centuries. As a hygienist it is our job to acquire a thorough health history and overall assessment to customize treatment and to provide assistance for the benefit of the patients overall and oral health. Approximately three hundred thousand children are affected by dental caries and approximately seventy percent of the geriatric populations are affected. Dental caries do not only affect the aesthetic appearance of teeth but they affect a person ability to eat certain foods, interfere with swallowing, speech, and there overall health. My adolescent patient was an eighteen year old female that after full assessment I noted was in overall good health. My patients health history noted no known about conditions and the only
After looking at prior radiographs I noted there were several interproximal composites from past carious lesions. I noticed while debriding her mouth that she has little to almost no salivary flow. I looked at his health history and noted that she was on several medications. After looking those up, I noticed that many of them have the side effect of xerostomia. After questions the patient she said that she frequently has dry mouth and is constantly wanted a beverage to keep the oral cavity moist. I demonstrated oral hygiene instructions and made sure she knew how to floss, since most of her carious lesions were interproximal. I also recommended she use bioten and when she found herself thirsty due to her dry mouth to try and drink water instead of a sugary beverage. My patient was willing and able to adapt to these lifestyle changes. At her next visit I will assess and see how she is doing and to make sure there was no periodontal