Top 6 Expert-Recommended Tips for Keeping Teeth Healthy in Later Years
Taking care of our teeth is important at every stage of life. After all, we only get one set per lifetime! As we age, dental hygiene becomes that much more critical. According to CareQuest, 7 in 10 seniors have gum disease, while one in five have untreated tooth decay. Worse still, untreated gum disease can make it even more challenging to manage chronic conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes. These statistics are terrifying! Maybe they made you run for a toothbrush or call your dentist. Or maybe they made you wish you’d taken better care of your teeth when you were younger!
But here’s the good news: It’s never too late to take dental hygiene more seriously!
In fact, this episode of Conversations on Aging highlights essential steps and practices to keep your teeth strong and healthy throughout your senior years! Don’t have time to listen to the full episode today? No problem! Keep reading to read 6 expert-recommended tips that should keep your teeth healthy for years to come—no matter how old you are!
1. Schedule regular dentist visits.
We often hear that preventative care is the best care, and that applies to your dental health! In fact, one of the easiest (and most effective!) ways to keep your teeth healthy is through regular dental checkups. Most experts recommend visiting the dentist every six months. “Regular dental visits are critical for early detection of oral health issues before they escalate or spread to other parts of the body,” Dr. Kemia Zeinali told Time magazine in a recent article. “For example, untreated cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes.” And while we’re on the subject, the CDC maintains that regular dental visits can reduce the risk of several oral health problems, including:
- Tooth decay.
- Gum disease.
- Oral cancer.
Sadly, only 65% of adults had a dental check-up or cleaning over the last year. Maybe you, like many people, think regular dental appointments are only for kids. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Sadly, gum health naturally declines with age. Without frequent checkups, issues like tooth decay, brittle teeth, and gum disease can only worsen. Getting regular checkups and cleanings can keep your teeth healthy and save both your mouth and your wallet from more serious procedures, like root canals or tooth extractions. Also, regular dental cleanings can remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay.
2. Understand gum disease and prevention.
Did you know that nearly two-thirds of adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. have gum disease (per the CDC)? That’s over 68%! Sadly, gum disease is one of those conditions that can progress undetected until it’s too late. Worse still, it can start with more subtle symptoms that are easy to miss, such as swollen, puffy, or bleeding gums. It’s typically caused by poor brushing or flossing habits, which can let plaque build up and bacteria thrive. If it isn’t caught or treated, it can spread to the bones around the gum and even lead to tooth loss! Yikes!
In the immortal words of Smokey the Bear, only you can prevent gum disease. How, you might ask? By keeping your teeth and gums healthy, of course! More specifically, brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once a day to reach all the places that your toothbrush might miss. Also, if you’re a smoker, try your best to quit! Make sure you always visit a dentist for regular teeth cleaning and exams.
3. Brush and floss!
And speaking of brushing and flossing, let’s go over them a little more. We cannot stress the importance of these simple acts enough! Just dragging a toothbrush over your teeth a few times and spitting into the sink isn’t the best orthodontic strategy. Make sure you brush for at least two minutes each time you brush (preferably, twice a day). The Mayo Clinic also recommends that you get a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months and replace it sooner than that if the bristles get worn or bent. And make sure you don’t brush your teeth too hard! Overly aggressive brushing can be counterproductive and even lead to receding gums or make you more vulnerable to decay.
Meanwhile, flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from areas that brushing can’t reach. To properly floss, break off around 18 inches of floss and wrap most of it around both your middle fingers, leaving only about 1 to 2 inches for your teeth. Then gently glide the floss between your teeth, using a new, clean section for each tooth. Make sure you don’t get too aggressive with your flossing and accidentally floss your gums! Be gentle and careful!
4. Dry mouth.
Dry mouth isn’t a natural part of aging. However, it can affect older adults disproportionately, often due to certain medications, dehydration, diabetes, and even nerve damage. While we might see saliva as gross, it actually plays a pretty big role in our oral hygiene! Not only does it wash away food particles, but it also kills germs and bad breath! It also protects against gum disease and tooth decay. In other words, saliva is incredibly important!
To combat dry mouth, make sure you hydrate yourself! After all, saliva is 98 percent water, so make sure you’re drinking enough of it! If you find that your mouth feels dry, chew sugar-free gum, as this can stimulate your saliva glands to produce more. Also, avoid caffeine! According to the Mayo Clinic, caffeine can make your mouth drier, so try to limit your intake and drink more water if possible.
5. Managing tooth decay: root canals, crowns, etc.
Sadly, sometimes tooth decay is too advanced for preventative care to help. When a tooth is severely decayed, you might need to get a root canal. Yep, the very procedure that inspired the idiom “as much fun as a root canal”! While not enjoyable, a root canal can address painful infections in your teeth. This procedure involves removing the infected pulp from a tooth and filling the root canals to keep the infection from spreading. Afterward, your dentist will usually place a dental crown to strengthen your tooth.
If the thought of a dentist drilling around your mouth and digging pulp from your tooth spikes your blood pressure, don’t despair. There are less invasive options for replacing missing teeth! For example, you can always get partial dentures or dental implants. As the name implies, partial dentures are removable devices that replace missing teeth with artificial teeth attached to a gum-colored base. Dental implants, on the other hand, are surgically placed into the jawbone. Think of them as anchors for your new false teeth! While both options can boost your oral health (and give you a prettier smile!), dental implants are a more permanent solution. However, they’re not for everyone, especially seniors with significant bone loss.
6. Dental insurance.
Let’s face it—a nice smile doesn’t come cheap. In fact, dental care is downright expensive! That’s why you need to understand Medicare’s coverage of dental care. While traditional Medicare usually doesn’t cover routine dental visits, some Medicare Advantage plans do offer dental benefits. Some seniors with standard Medicare may be able to receive coverage under certain circumstances, such as dental issues related to an injury that required hospitalization.
The Importance of Lifelong Dental Care
While many people associate older adults with dentures, losing your teeth isn’t a natural part of aging! With proper care, you can boast a healthy, confident smile, no matter how many candles are on your next birthday cake. The key? Staying consistent! Make sure you commit to dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and don’t skimp on flossing! Oh, and drink plenty of water and try not to eat or drink too many sugary foods. All in all, treat your teeth right, and they’ll reward you by staying strong, healthy, and beautiful for the rest of your lifetime!
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Originally published June 13, 2025
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