Dental Health for

Seniors

Medications, loss of dental insurance, and changes in physical ability can increase your risk for cavities as you get older.

BUT those changes do not mean you have to lose your teeth!

  • Regular dental care
  • Brushing and floss two times per day
  • Visit your medical doctor regularly
  • Eat healthy foods/drinks
  • Cleaning dentures/partials

These are all things you can do to keep your mouth healthy!

Does your family member live in a long-term care facility?

Make sure they have regular dental care.

Your family member can deny care - this puts them at risk for

  • Thrush
  • Cavities
  • Gum disease
  • Mouth sores

If you are unable to take your family member to the dentist – try a mobile dental service!

Mobile dental services are dental teams that come to you! Providing full or partial dental care that can help keep your family member’s mouth stay healthy. A quick Google search for “Mobile Dental Services Near Me” – will show dental teams who travel in your state.

QUICK TIPS

Have dry mouth?
Click here to learn how saliva helps to protect your teeth. THEN click here for some choices to treat your dry mouth.

Have arthritis or trouble holding toothbrush/floss?
Click again for some tips to make your toothbrush easier to hold. Check out this great page of visuals here.

References

  1. Oral Health for Older Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm. Published May 22, 2019. Accessed October 23, 2020.
  2. Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-teeth-and-mouth. Accessed October 23, 2020.
  3. Dahm TS, Bruhn A, LeMaster M. Oral Care in the Long-Term Care of Older Patients: How Can the Dental Hygienist Meet the Need? Journal of Dental Hygiene. https://jdh.adha.org/content/89/4/229. Published August 1, 2015. Accessed October 23, 2020.
  4. Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-teeth-and-mouth. Accessed October 23, 2020.