Daily dental care is important, no matter what your age. It’s important to keep your teeth healthy so you can eat food properly and without pain and be confident in your appearance. As we age, we start to see various oral health problems appear that might not be threats to young people. Cavities, tooth loss, and periodontitis (gum disease) are all major oral health threats. They can become much more serious as we age.
What specific oral health risks are faced by the elderly?
Untreated tooth decay
As we get older and more comfortable in our own ways, some parts of the daily health routine might miss the mark or. Some things may be overlooked – this happens when brushing teeth especially. Nearly all adults (over 95 %) have had a cavity in their life. About 20 % of elderly individuals have untreated tooth decay.
Higher risk of gum disease
About 2 thirds of elderly adults have gum disease in some form. It can range from severe, risking tooth loss, to mild, resulting in minor swelling or inflammation.
Tooth loss
About 13% of adults 65 years or older have no teeth. By age 75, 26% of adults have lost all of their teeth. Missing teeth/wearing dentures can seriously effect nutrition, as it plays a major role in chewing food.
Dry mouth
Many Americans 65 and older have chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease. Often, they must take prescription medications daily to combat these diseases. Prescription medications can reduce saliva production. Reduced saliva flow results in increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva plays an important role in washing out the mouth and neutralizing the pH balance so the mouth does not become too acidic.
Oral cancers
The median age that people are diagnosed with cancers of the mouth/throat is 62. Cancer often takes years to develop, so it is most often found in older people.
For further reading on oral health threats to the elderly, this CDC article covers adult tooth loss and other oral health risks.
How the elderly can maintain their oral health
Fortunately, the rules for keeping your mouth healthy are pretty much the same no matter your age, however elderly people will need to keep a few extra things in mind.
- Brush twice a day. Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush for about 3 minutes each time. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every few months or once it starts showing wear and tear.
- Drink plenty of water. Water helps stimulate saliva flow and washes out the mouth.
- Avoid extra sugary/acidic foods. These foods can stain the teeth and provoke more tooth decay.
- Floss once a day.
- Visit your dentist for a check up twice a year.
Dental care for the elderly
- Use a soft or medium-soft toothbrush. This is important because older people are more likely to have significant gum recession. This exposes more of the root of the tooth, making the area more sensitive. A toothbrush that isn’t soft enough can cause pain, leading to that area being skipped when brushing.
- Reminders from loved ones may be required about when to replace the toothbrush.
- The elderly are more likely to have bridges, crowns, and tooth replacements. This means that extra care needs to be taken to ensure that these surgical tooth replacements aren’t damaged.
- Assistance may be needed in brushing, as an elderly person may have a reduced range of motion with their hand, arm, and wrist.
- Ask a professional. Ask your dentist or oral hygienist about how you or an elderly person you know can best take care of their health. The landscape is a lot more difficult to navigate with tooth replacements, reduced range of motion, and recessed gums.
- Consider an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are much more efficient at removing plaque, and increasing gum health. This study demonstrated that electric toothbrushes used in the short run promote better gum and tooth health.
- If gripping the toothbrush is a problem, you can put a rubber bicycle handle around it, or pad it out with some type of foam.
Toothbrushes for the elderly
Medium soft, or soft
Many elderly people have recessed gums, so a brush with soft bristles is a good start. Additionally, crowns and other tooth replacements may require a more sensitive brush as well.
Electric toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes fulfill a number of functions for the elderly.
- They help reduce the amount of movement required thanks to the oscillating head.
- They are more efficient at cleaning the mouth than manual toothbrushes.
- They have specific settings that can be used on sensitive teeth/recessed gums.
- Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers that help people spend the right amount of time brushing.
Some good electric toothbrush brands to look at are: Sonicare, Oral-B, and Rotatdent.
Need help with your oral health?
If you or a loved one is elderly, and concerned about oral health, then feel free to ask us how we can help. Josey Lane Dentistry has been serving the Carrollton Texas elderly community faithfully for years. We are happy to assist you with any questions you have about oral care, surgery, tooth replacement, and more. We offer full family service, from grandma and grandpa down to young children working on their first set of teeth. If you have any questions about what we can do for you, send us a message or give us a call today.
FAQs
Dentists often recommend electric toothbrushes for seniors with limited dexterity or mobility. Electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers to ensure seniors brush for at least two minutes.
Should elderly people use an electric toothbrush? ›
Most dentists recommend electric toothbrushes for elderly patients because they don't require strenuous arm and hand movements. Three intensity settings provide seniors the level necessary for comfort, while removing six times the plaque along the gum line with soft bristles that clean without irritation.
How do you brush an elderly person's teeth? ›
Place the toothbrush bristles at an angle toward the gumline so they clean between the gums and teeth. Be sure to brush the teeth on all sides using small circular motions, then brush the tongue. If the person you care for cannot rinse, give a drink of water or sweep the mouth with a finger wrapped in damp gauze.
How often should seniors go to the dentist? ›
As an aging senior, make sure you schedule at least two appointments with the dentist every year. However, if you have pre-existing conditions, reach out to your dentist to figure out a comprehensive dental care plan.
What is the healthiest toothbrush to use? ›
For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.
What's the best toothbrush to use for dementia residents? ›
Try a children's toothbrush with soft bristles. It might work better or feel better than an adult's toothbrush with hard bristles. Look for toothbrushes that have long handles or an angled head. They might be easier to use than regular toothbrushes.
Are electric toothbrushes actually better? ›
Studies show that electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth than manual toothbrushes do, which can help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Do dentists recommend electric toothbrushes? ›
Dentists agree that overall, electric toothbrushes are superior to manual ones. "Because electric brushes have a rotation, they essentially force the toothpaste in more difficult-to-reach areas, which is where cavities start," says Dr. Creaven.
Is it OK to use electric toothbrush everyday? ›
Absolutely! Using an electric toothbrush every day is generally recommended and can be beneficial for maintaining good oral hygiene. The consistent use of an electric toothbrush helps remove plaque effectively, reaches difficult-to-reach areas, and promotes better overall cleaning compared to manual brushing.
What stage of dementia is not brushing teeth? ›
Later stage of dementia
During the later stage, a person will find it hard to do many things for themselves. This could include difficulty holding objects like a toothbrush, or difficulty moving around easily.
Use a soft toothbrush to brush teeth, gums and tongue morning and night. Encourage the resident to spit and not to rinse the mouth after brushing, so the fluoride can soak into the teeth. Encourage the resident to drink water after meals, medications, other drinks and snacks to keep the mouth clean.
How to clean an elderly person's tongue? ›
Daily tongue cleaning with a brush or scraper is an easy way to control tongue coating deposits and quality. Using mouth wash or rinse-containing germicides is also a way to control the microbiota of tongue coating.
Do seniors get free dental care in the USA? ›
Medicare's basic policies – usually called Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B – do not cover routine dental care. However, if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, your policy may cover routine services for seniors. Typically, Medicare pays for emergency dental care as it relates to other health conditions.
Should seniors use mouthwash? ›
For many seniors, dental care should include a fluoride mouthwash. A fluoride mouthwash can help in a number of ways: since fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens the hard outer surfaces of teeth, it can help protect your mouth against cavities. It can even help reverse early tooth decay.
Should a 90 year old go to the dentist? ›
The most common senior citizen dental care recommendation is routine cleaning, which involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. The ADA recommends getting routine cleanings twice a year. Don't skip your cleanings as you age! They can help keep your mouth healthy and prevent problems down the road.
What is the ideal toothbrush for an adult? ›
Soft bristles are gentler on the teeth and gums. "I always recommend that everyone uses soft bristle toothbrushes," says Dr. Horowitz. Not only do soft bristles clean just as well as more rigid bristles, but they also help prevent complications to the teeth and gums.
What oral hygiene is recommended in the elderly? ›
SIMPLE STEPS TO ENSURE ORAL HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTS: Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day to remove plaque. Drink fluoridated water, if available. Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
What toothbrushes do dental professionals generally recommend that patients use ______? ›
Also, when brushing, the ADA recommends that people use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle pressure, both of which may help reduce the risk of gingival injury.
Should adults use soft or medium toothbrushes? ›
Dental professionals recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes because too much pressure or overzealous brushing can negatively impact the enamel and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes with angled or multi-layer bristles to ensure an excellent clean without harming your teeth.
