Dental Care for Seniors in Asheville: Understanding and Maintaining Oral Health as We Age

Growing older brings unique challenges to every aspect of our health, including our oral health. Seniors often experience dental challenges such as dry mouth and an increased risk for gum disease and cavities, making it crucial to take care of your smile as you age.

At Saunders DDS, we understand that seniors have specific dental care needs that require special attention and expertise. As Asheville’s trusted family dental practice, we’re committed to helping our senior patients maintain healthy smiles for life.

How Aging Affects Oral Health 

As we age, our mouths go through a few changes that can impact our dental health. Understanding these changes is the first step toward maintaining optimal oral health in our senior years.

• Older adults are more at risk for issues such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity. This increased risk stems from multiple factors, including accumulated wear on tooth enamel and age-related changes in oral tissues and immune response.
• As we’ll see, seniors are also more at risk for dry mouth due to the natural aging process and certain medications, which can exacerbate their risk for bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.
• Seniors are also more at risk for certain health problems that can impact oral health, such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia. Some medications for these conditions can also contribute to dry mouth and related oral health problems.

Managing Common Senior Dental Concerns

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is particularly common among seniors, often as a side effect of medications. There are thousands of medications that can cause dry mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

One of the best ways to manage dry mouth is to stay well-hydrated throughout the day. Many older adults also find relief through sugar-free lozenges or gum, which help stimulate saliva. For some seniors, artificial saliva products can provide additional comfort.

It’s also important to review medications with your healthcare provider, as changing your medication might help reduce dry mouth and improve your oral health.

Gum Disease

Seniors are at higher risk for periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Over 70% of Americans 65 and older have some form of gum disease. Contributors to gum disease include age, tobacco use, dry mouth, and poor oral hygiene.

Preventing gum disease requires consistent attention to oral hygiene, including regular professional cleanings with your dentist and proper daily care.

Since gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, early intervention for gum issues is crucial for maintaining gum health and preventing more serious complications like tooth loss.

Dental Restorations

For seniors with dental restorations such as dental implants, crowns, bridges, and full or partial dentures, proper care is essential.

Cleaning your teeth daily and taking special care with your restorations—such as flossing around crowns and cleaning dentures every day—can help protect your smile and keep your restoration looking great for as long as possible.

No dental restoration lasts forever, so it’s important to keep regular checkups with your family dentist to ensure your restoration is in good shape. For example, while dental crowns can last for 10 years or longer, dentures may need to be replaced every five years. Your dentist can guide you on caring for your restoration for the best results.

If you wear dentures, be aware that your mouth naturally changes shape over time, which can affect how your dentures fit. Ill-fitting dentures can cause discomfort, difficulty eating, and even nutritional problems. Watch for signs of poor fit, such as sliding, clicking sounds, or sore spots in your mouth, and have your dentist check your dentures’ fit annually.

Special Considerations for Senior Dental Care

• Physical limitations. Many seniors face physical challenges in maintaining their oral hygiene routine, such as not being able to properly brush and floss their teeth. When traditional dental care becomes difficult, we recommend trying electric toothbrushes and flossing aids, such as a water flosser, to help you properly care for your teeth.
• Eating a nutritious diet. Older adults are less likely to eat a healthy diet due to reduced sense of taste and smell, decreased appetite, trouble swallowing as the result of dry mouth, and medications or health conditions that can affect appetite. Getting enough vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is crucial for a healthy smile. Choose foods that are both nutritious and easy to chew, and minimize sugary treats that can contribute to tooth decay.
• Regular dental visits. Maintaining consistent dental checkups becomes even more crucial with age. Seniors should schedule appointments every six months, or as their dentist recommends, to catch potential issues early, especially since many oral health problems progress more quickly in older adults.

Essential Oral Health Practices for Seniors

Maintaining good oral hygiene becomes even more crucial as we age. Essential daily oral care practices for seniors include:

1. Brushing thoroughly twice daily using fluoride toothpaste
2. Cleaning between teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners
3. Rinsing with mouthwash if your dentist has recommended one
4. Cleaning dentures daily, if you wear them
5. Staying hydrated to combat dry mouth
6. Scheduling dental checkups every six months (or more often as recommended by your dentist)
7. Keeping an updated list of all medications to share with your dental team

At Saunders DDS, we offer a comprehensive range of dental solutions specifically tailored to senior needs. Whether you need dental restorations, treatment for gum disease, or preventative care, we’re here to help you care for your smile well into your golden years.

Protect Your Smile for Life With Saunders DDS

You don’t have to wait until you have a problem with your smile to take care of your oral health. Prevention is the best medicine, so schedule an appointment with Saunders DDS today for an exam. Our family-owned dental practice in Asheville provides a comfortable environment where you can get your teeth and gums taken care of. Call us today at (828) 277-6060 or reach us online using our contact form.