Dental Care for Seniors

There was a time when people expected to lose teeth during their lifetime. A complete set of upper and lower dentures was the norm for seniors. 

Fortunately, adults can now expect to enjoy all the benefits of healthy teeth throughout their senior years. Many seniors won’t ever need dentures, as they’ll have a complete (or nearly full) set of their natural teeth.

This is good news for an older adult’s general and mental health. Teeth (or sturdy tooth replacements) are essential for good nutrition. They help us communicate verbally (through speech) and non-verbally (smiling). Many of our older patients feel proud that they’ve largely avoided the dental disease that their parents and grandparents experienced.

What factors affect the dental health of seniors?

Some seniors experience age-related medical conditions that can affect the health of natural teeth and gums. And poor oral health can exacerbate existing medical conditions or create new ones.

Many factors can affect the oral health of seniors.

• Conditions that affect dexterity, such as arthritis, can affect the person’s ability to brush and floss their teeth
• Conditions that affect cognition, such as dementia, can affect the person’s ability to care for their own dental health and nutrition
• Medications can have unwanted side effects that affect oral health. Some reduce salivary flow and cause dry mouth, leading to conditions such as gum disease, tooth decay, and root decay.
• A dry mouth can also make it very uncomfortable to eat. Saliva lubricates the mouth, so its absence causes the gums, tongue, and mouth lining to become red, inflamed and very painful. Seniors may compensate by choosing softer foods, which affects their nutrition and, therefore, their overall health.
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, may lead to multiple complications in the mouth. These include tooth decay, oral thrush infections, and an altered sense of taste.
• Very poor oral health can lead to the development of a serious or fatal type of pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia.
• Tooth enamel may become thinner with age. This can make teeth look more yellow and make teeth more sensitive.
• Teeth with fillings can become more brittle and may chip or crack. This is exacerbated if the patient grinds or clenches their teeth at night (bruxism).

Can teeth really last a lifetime?

With ongoing good health and quality medical and dental care, teeth can definitely last a lifetime. However, it can take some effort to ensure older adults avoid tooth loss and maintain good oral health.

To enjoy a healthy mouth throughout life

• daily oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing are essential
• timely visits for a dental exam (checkup) will ensure conditions like gum disease and dental decay are prevented or identified early and treated appropriately
• the person’s dentist and general medical practitioner may need to communicate the presence of symptoms or conditions that will require the other’s attention
• others may need to assist the person if they struggle with their daily oral health care. The person’s dentist can provide guidance in this area.