Continued good oral health care – from daily brushing and flossing to regular dental visits – will help the older adult keep a healthy smile, and can also contribute to good overall health.

The link between good oral health and good overall health is strong. The U.S. Surgeon General and numerous health associations continue to spread the message that “oral health is essential to general health and well-being.”

 

Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

Periodontal (gum) disease or tooth decay (cavities) are the most frequent causes of tooth loss. Older Americans continue to experience dental decay on the crowns of teeth (coronal caries) and on tooth roots (because of gum recession). In fact, older adults may have new tooth decay at higher rates than children.

Severity of periodontal (gum) disease increases with age. About 23 percent of 65- to 74-year-olds have severe disease, which is measured by 6mm loss of attachment of the tooth to the adjacent gum tissue. At all ages men are more likely than women to have more severe disease. At all ages, people at the lowest socioeconomic level have the most severe periodontal disease.

 

Oral and Pharyngeal Cancers

Oral and pharyngeal cancers, which are diagnosed in some 31,000 Americans each year, result in about 7,400 deaths each year. These cancers are primarily diagnosed in the elderly. Prognosis is poor. The five-year survival rate for white patients is 56 percent and for African American patients is only 34 percent.

 

Medicines and Oral Health

Most older Americans take both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Over 400 commonly used medicines can be the cause of a dry mouth. Reduction of the flow of saliva increases the risk for oral disease, since saliva contains antimicrobial components as well as minerals that help rebuild tooth enamel attacked by decay-causing bacteria. Individuals in long-term care facilities—about 5 percent of the elderly—take an average of eight drugs each day.

 

Nerve Conditions and Oral Health

Painful conditions that affect the facial nerves are more common among the elderly and can be severely debilitating. These conditions can affect:

• mood
• sleep
• oral-motor functions such as:
  • chewing
  • swallowing. 

Neurological diseases associated with age, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and stroke also affect oral sensory and motor functions, in addition to limiting the ability to care for oneself.

 

What You Can Do to Maintain Your Oral Health

• Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste; fluoride provides protection against dental decay at all ages.

 

• Practice good oral hygiene. Careful tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can help prevent periodontal disease.

 

• It is important to see your dentist on a regular basis, even if you have no natural teeth and have dentures. Professional care helps to maintain the overall health of the teeth and mouth, and provides for early detection of pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions.

 

• Avoid tobacco. In addition to the general health risks posed by tobacco use, smokers have seven times the risk of developing periodontal disease compared to non-smokers. Tobacco used in any form—cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless (spit) tobacco—increases the risk for periodontal disease, oral and throat cancers, and oral fungal infection (candidiasis). Spit tobacco containing sugar also increases the risk of cavities.

 

• Limit alcohol. Drinking a high amount of alcoholic beverages is a risk factor for oral and throat cancers. Alcohol and tobacco used together are the primary risk factors for these cancers.

 

• Make sure that you or your loved one gets dental care prior to having cancer chemotherapy or radiation to the head or neck. These therapies can damage or destroy oral tissues and can result in severe irritation of the oral tissues and mouth ulcers, loss of salivary function, rampant tooth decay, and destruction of bone.

 

• Caregivers should reinforce the daily oral hygiene routines of elders who are unable to perform these activities independently.

 

• Sudden changes in taste and smell should not be considered signs of aging, but should be a sign to seek professional care.

 

• If medications produce a dry mouth, ask your doctor if there are other drugs that can be substituted. If dry mouth cannot be avoided, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco and alcohol.

To learn more about good oral health, visit www.oda.org or www.ada.org.

 

Sources:

Oral Health for Older Americans (CDC)

Smiles for Seniors

For more information:

Go to the Dental and Oral Health (Seniors) health topic.