4 Tips for Maintaining Oral Health in Older Adults

With age comes wisdom, right? Well, not in every way. For many adults, getting older means that unfamiliar oral health concerns are now a reality. And the population facing these concerns is getting larger. By 2060, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts the number of adults 65 and older will reach 98 million. That’s 24 percent of the US population.

As this group grows, more individuals are seeking information about oral health in older adults. Below, we detail how to avoid the most common issues for an aging mouth: dry mouth, cavities, cancer, and pain.

Solutions for Common Problems with Aging Teeth and Gums

WebMD lists the most common oral health problems for older adults:

Here are our top 4 tips for older adults who are facing these common oral health problems for an aging mouth:

Tip #1: Drink Water to Prevent Cavities

Older adults may experience higher rates of cavities and tooth loss when compared to young adults. There’s a misconception among older populations that dry mouth comes naturally with age, but it’s not true. Although many older adults experience dry mouth, your dentist can almost always point to a specific reason beyond just getting older.

Your mouth relies on saliva to help wash away harmful bacteria. Without enough of it, plaque gets to stick around longer, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Consider if your dry mouth is being caused by prescriptions, disease, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Talk to your dentist and your doctor. They are happy to work with you to determine the cause of dry mouth. Once you find the cause, special toothpaste, rinses, and sprays can be recommended, as well as medication changes. We also recommend drinking more water.

Be aware of when you feel thirsty and grab a glass of water. You should also limit alcohol intake, especially when on medications, as it can be a contributor to dry mouth.

Tip #2: Brush and Floss Daily to Prevent Gum Disease

When plaque is allowed to stick around for more than 24 hours, it coats the teeth and moves to hide under the gumline where a toothbrush can’t reach. As the layer of plaque builds from a lack of adequate brushing and flossing, the gums become inflamed and irritated. This is called gingivitis. The irritated gum tissue begins to pull away from the tooth, and the worse it gets, the less secure your teeth are. Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis and can lead to bone, tissue, and tooth loss. As it progresses, teeth may start to feel loose or move around in the mouth. About two out of three older adults over 65 have gum disease. Ongoing studies show that people with gum disease are more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other serious health events. Talk to your dentist right away if you notice any of these symptoms.

Tip #3: Quit Tobacco, Limit Alcohol to Prevent Oral Cancer

Stopping smoking and tobacco use is critical to prevent a variety of different oral health complications. Bad breath, tooth discoloration, dry mouth, and cancer are all side effects of smoking or using tobacco. Although cases in young adults are on the rise, the average age that oral cancer is diagnosed is 62.

The American Cancer Society predicts that about 53,000 people will get oral or oropharyngeal cancer in 2019. Of those, about 10,860 people (or 21%) won’t survive the diagnosis.

Tobacco and excessive alcohol use are the strongest risk factors. About 7 in 10 patients with oral cancer are heavy drinkers. Smoking and oral tobacco use are linked with cancers of the cheek, gums, and inner surface of the lips. Pipe smoking is linked to a high risk of cancer where the lips touch the pipe stem.

If you need help quitting, there are local resources available to support you right now.

If you think any of these oral cancer symptoms sound familiar, talk to your dentist or doctor right away.

Tips #4: Oral Health Tools to Prevent Pain

Without proper and consistent oral care, it can be painful to brush and floss. To prevent the consequences of plaque buildup, be sure to brush twice a day and floss daily – especially when tending to aging teeth and gums. Some older adults experience discomfort during their oral care routine because of arthritis or other painful dexterity issues. Using an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one allows for better control. It also puts less stress on hand muscles and prevents irritating existing pain conditions. Flossing can be made a much easier task with a water flosser or floss pick. Talk to your dentist about which products would be best for you.

The right dental plan is key to maintaining oral health in older adults. Contact us to learn more about the specifics of your coverage.

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