Dental Care for Seniors: Maintaining Oral Health in Your Golden Years

As we get older, focus might shift towards cosmetic treatments to help improve confidence. And when we reach old age, the focus shifts again. You might think that you have a pretty good handle on how to care for your teeth – particularly when you’ve been doing it for so long.

The dental care needs of an older adult are completely different to those of a young adult, so don’t assume that your seniority means that you are somehow immune from dental problems. In this guide, we’re looking at how dental health priorities should change as you get older, and what you can do to ensure a lifetime of good oral health.

How do oral health needs change as we get older?

Your teeth and gums undergo lots of changes as you get older. Often the first change you will notice is that your gums start to shrink and recede. This can make your teeth look longer, and it can also lead to pockets forming at the gum line.

This can make it more likely that you’ll get food and bacteria trapped in your mouth. Simple changes to your oral care routine can help to reduce the impact.

Another common change is discoloration of the teeth. This comes from the accumulation of stains over the years. Without professional teeth whitening, this will only become worse as you get older. You might also face plaque, tartar and calculus build up on your teeth. This can lead to yellow and brown staining.

Finally, you might start to see more complex dental health issues arising. Teeth can become weaker and more likely to succumb to cracks, chips and decay. You might find yourself looking at restorative treatment options more often.

How can you maintain your oral health in your golden years?

First things first, you should make sure that you continue to visit the dentist at least once per year, unless your dentist tells you otherwise. Some patients are able to visit the dentist every 2 years, while others will need to visit every 6 months.

Regular dental checkups will help to ensure that any minor problems can be caught before they become much more serious issues. Remember that dental health problems don’t always have obvious symptoms, so waiting until you notice pain or discomfort before you visit the dentist could mean that you leave it too late.

You should also visit the dental hygienist to help keep on top of bacteria build up – particularly around the gum line. This is particularly important as you get older, as you’ll already be facing some level of gum recession. If you have gum disease on top of this, the gum recession could be much more severe.

A dental hygienist can also give you updated advice on how to care for your teeth at home. You’ll need to make sure you are brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Flossing isn’t something that you can avoid as you get older.

You should also explore restorative options with your dentist to help keep your teeth and bite functional for as long as possible. For example, gaps in your smile due to tooth loss should always be addressed as soon as possible. Leaving gaps in your smile will leave you at risk of bone loss in the jaw, and this could make your face appear less symmetrical.

How can your dentist help?

Regular visits to the dentist will help to put your mind at ease while also helping to spot minor issues before they become much more serious. They can also help you with personalised advice on how to restore your smile with restorations like bridges, veneers and crowns.

As you get older, you want to ensure that you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible. If you do lose a tooth for any reason, you may want to explore dental implants as a way to close this gap in your smile.

Dental implants are a superior choice for restoring your smile as they replicate the role of the natural tooth root, ensuring that your jaw bone continues to absorb the force of your bite. This can help to counter the bone loss associated with tooth loss.

Managing with reduced mobility

If you find that you struggle to care for your teeth due to a loss of mobility or dexterity in your hands, don’t worry. There are plenty of options available that are suitable for those with arthritic hands. You might want to switch to an electric toothbrush to ensure you can care for your teeth without relying on a manual toothbrush.

Water flossers are also an excellent choice for those that might struggle to handle dental floss or a floss harp. These use a concentrated jet of water to dislodge food and debris from between the teeth. They’re also highly effective for cleaning around dental restorations such as bridges or dental implants.

Looking for help to support your oral health?

If you are worried about your oral health as you get older, our dental team is here to help. We can support you to care for your evolving needs and ensure you get the advice and help you need to care for your teeth at any age.