What should dental professionals consider when polishing older patients' teeth?

When polishing the teeth of older patients, it is important to recognize that they often experience increased sensitivity and may have thinner enamel. As individuals age, their enamel can wear down due to a variety of factors, including dietary habits, oral hygiene practices, and natural abrasion over time. This thinning of enamel can make polishing procedures more uncomfortable for these patients, as their teeth have less protective outer layer to shield the underlying dentin.

Additionally, older patients may also exhibit increased sensitivity due to gum recession, which exposes more sensitive areas of the teeth. Dental professionals should therefore proceed with caution when performing coronal polishing on this demographic, opting for gentler techniques and possibly softer polishing agents to minimize discomfort and potential harm to their teeth.

While older patients do not generally have thicker enamel, their unique needs must be taken into account to ensure a safe and effective dental procedure. The observation about longer cleaning times and the need for polishing should be approached with individual assessments, rather than assumptions based on age alone.