Published Friday, May 8, 2020
Dental care in Costa Rica for seniors




By Dr. Karen Yurell
Goodness Dental
-Paid Partnership-


Senior citizens have a variety of special health needs including proper dental care.

Studies show that the older we get, the more we’re subject to dental and other oral healthcare problems that often require specialized attention. Living in Costa Rica, however, is a huge plus since preventive care and even complex treatments cost significantly less than what you would pay in the United States. 

Seniors need to be on the lookout for the four top oral healthcare problems for their age group: tooth loss, problems related to dentures, dry mouth and periodontal disease.

Tooth loss occurs more frequently as we age and can pose significant problems for all seniors. Heavy tobacco users are more likely to suffer tooth loss. Research has also correlated tooth loss with higher risks of stroke and weight loss in the elderly.

Denture wearers need to be on the lookout of special problems including oral lesions, also known as “stomatitis” that occurs at rates as high as 67% in those that use full dentures. It may be caused by a yeast infection or an allergic reaction to the denture base material.

While tobacco use and alcohol consumption have been shown to be associated with stomatitis, it can also be triggered when dentures aren’t soaked at night or are improperly fitted. Residents of Costa Rica enjoy frequent visits for denture fittings and care at a significantly reduced cost.

Dry mouth occurs in the elderly population more than any other age group and can lead to higher rates of tooth decay, making preventive visits to the dentist even more important.

Dry mouth has been reported in 30% of the population 65 years of age or older worldwide and is more often found in females than males. Medications can also cause dry mouth in seniors including the use of certain drugs used to treat hypertension and urinary problems.

Finally, seniors are more at risk for periodontal disease. The best way to avoid it or keep it in check is to have regular dental checkups and avoid smoking. Your dentist in Costa Rica can provide you with a program of care that will be easier on your pocketbook while you treat existing periodontal problems or hopefully avoid them altogether.

Goodness Dental in Costa Rica is ranked as the leading dental clinic for patients from the USA and Canada. Prices at Goodness Dental are often seventy percent lower than prices for dental care in the United States and Canada. Goodness Dental has also been ranked as one of the top ten dental clinics in the world. In fact, no other dental clinic in the USA or Canada ranks higher on the global ranking than Goodness Dental. Patients seeking a consultation, price estimate or an appointment may email info@goodnessdental.com or call Toll Free: 866-406-2744.