Aging is inevitable, whether we like it or not, and it impacts all parts of our overall health. That means teeth, too. Aging can have a significant impact on your oral health. Studies have found that older adults have a higher incidence of cavities and periodontal disease. Issues like dry mouth, problems chewing and swallowing, and gum inflammation are also more common among the elderly.
Understanding the impacts of aging on oral health will help you address these issues if they arise, and know how to treat them when they do. With a proper routine and regular dentist visits, you can still have excellent oral health in your golden years.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is gum inflammation, which causes redness, swelling, and/or bleeding in the gums. It may cause pain or soreness, but in some cases, it does undetected because it doesn’t cause any discomfort. It is caused by the growth of plaque on the teeth, made up of bacteria which grows on the teeth.
Gingivitis is treatable, but if left alone, it can develop into periodontitis, a gum disease that can cause serious dental issues, including tooth loss. To prevent gingivitis, brush your teeth and floss regularly. Avoid smoking, which can worsen oral health issues. And visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.
Dry mouth
Dry mouth can be a common side effect of medications or a symptom of other illness, making it likelier in older age. It’s not only uncomfortable, but can worsen oral health in general, increasing the risk for dental decay and fungal infections.
To treat dry mouth, you can drink more water, which lubricates your mouth and can boost saliva production. Over-the-counter medications like dry mouth tablets or rinse can also help with dry mouth. Avoid smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, which can further reduce saliva production. If your dry mouth is persistent and difficult to treat, it may be time to visit the dentist.
Tooth loss
Tooth loss is unfortunately quite common in older adults, though it has declined dramatically thanks to better oral health and public health messaging around dental care.
According to research by the National Institute of Health, American adults aged 65 or older have an average of 20 teeth left. Tooth loss is worse among low-income adults, smokers, and non-white adults. Tooth loss, also called dental mortality, is caused by extensive dental decay, periodontal disease, poor diet and poor dental hygiene.
Before the tooth dies and falls out, these issues can be treated, but once a tooth dies, it cannot be saved. That’s why good dental hygiene is important for keeping your teeth healthy well into older age.
To prevent tooth loss, stick to a healthy diet low in sugar and ultra-processed foods. Avoid sodas and other carbonated soft drinks, which wear away tooth enamel.
Brush and floss your teeth regularly, and see the dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. If you have already lost teeth, getting dental implants can help improve your appearance and make chewing and swallowing easier.
Changes in tooth sensitivity
One common oral health complaint among older adults is the change in dental sensitivity. For some seniors, teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, making it more difficult to eat or drink certain things and causing discomfort during the winter. That sensitivity is caused by the enamel wearing away as the years go on, exposing the sensitive dental interior beneath the enamel.
For others, aging causes the teeth to become less sensitive, making it harder to chew and swallow accurately. Changes in tooth sensitivity can cause an array of issues, including chronic pain or discomfort, chewing and swallowing issues or sleep disruption.
To treat it, you can try specialized toothpaste for sensititive teeth, take over-the-counter pain medication, and avoid very hot and cold foods and beverages. Talk to your dentist if the issue is causing serious pain and discomfort, or getting worse, which could be a sign of other dental issues.
Loss of taste
There are many reasons why aging can be accompanied by a loss of certain tastes and smells. Researchers have found that elderly people often lose their perception of sour and bitter tastes, and for some people, taste decline can also extend to salty and sweet tastes. These changes can disrupt eating habits and food preferences, or loss of appetite, leading older adults to get less nutrition, or to seek out stronger flavors that may have less healthy benefits.
Medications can cause a loss of taste, as can illnesses like the flu, Covid-19 and the common cold. Other dental issues, like gum disease or dental decay, can make food smell or taste different. Though it may be difficult to cure a loss of taste as you age, you can seek out strong flavors that still provide a healthy diet.
Instead of more salt and sugar, try adding more spices to your diet, like ginger, turmeric and garlic, which are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and will give your food a healthy, tasty kick.
Tips for maintaining good oral health as you age
While our oral health may change as we age, that doesn’t mean we have to give up on a happy, healthy mouth. A great oral health routine will help you protect your teeth and gums, keeping you smiling no matter your age.
Here are some tips for maintaining good oral health as you get older.
- Brush your teeth twice a day: This daily routine is key to reducing plaque growth on your teeth, removing any food debris from between your teeth, and keeping your gums clean, to reduce any potential decay or disease growth. Be sure to change out your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are worn down.
- Floss daily, or use a waterpik: Daily flossing is important. It removes debris from between the teeth, which if left in the mouth can be a source of bacterial growth, causing decay. Flossing with string floss works great, but if you prefer a water flossing like a Waterpik, you’re in luck: studies find these are slightly more effective at plaque removal.
- Find a trusted dentist for a twice-yearly visit: Routine dental attendance is linked to better oral health, for a reason. Your dental team will clean your teeth, removing plaque to keep it from causing decay. They will do a thorough check-up to look for any signs of cavities or other issues, treating them as soon as they crop up. Seeing the same dentist consistently is also a smart idea. They will have your dental history on file, will be able to track any changes over time, and will help you schedule future appointments so your dental health is always on time.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and other nutrients: Knowing which foods boost oral health, and which can damage your teeth, will help keep you healthy as you age. Calcium rich foods, like yogurt, milk, cheese, and leafy greens like spinach and kale, can reduce density-loss in teeth and bones. Seafood high in omega-3 fatty acids, like mackerel and salmon, can reduce inflammation and lower your risk of gum disease. To keep teeth and gums healthy, avoid foods high in sugar, refined flour and processed foods, which increase acid levels in your saliva, damaging the enamel on your teeth.
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated has many health benefits as you age, and that includes oral health. Drinking water keeps your mouth refreshed and washes out the bacteria on your teeth that causes dental decay and enamel wear. It also reduces dry mouth.