What to Remember for Senior Dental Care

Updated: 1/27/2020

As you get older, everything seems to get busier. By the time you have kids, life is a whirlwind of ongoing responsibilities – and it doesn’t stop when you have grandkids. Everyone has “dental health” somewhere on their to-do list. More often than not, however, it falls lower on the priority list. So as you finish getting everything settled and organized for the rest of the year, keep in mind these things for your dental health:

Remember the Basics

Some really great places to start are dental plans for seniors. If you’re wondering about dental insurance or our 1Dental plans, check out our website! Also ask around for a good dentist in the area – recommendations are key to finding one you like.

Keep in Mind Common Dental Problems & Solutions

Here are common dental obstacles that seniors face:

• Gum Disease
• Darkened Teeth
• Root Decay
• Diminished Sense of Taste
• Dry Mouth
• Loss of Teeth

Here are some solutions to the problems listed above:

• Darkened Teeth: Teeth Whitening. This can be done at most dental offices – all you have to do is schedule an appointment!
• Root Decay: Root Canal. It sounds scarier than it is. Take a look at this article we wrote about what a root canal involves.
• Diminished Sense of Taste: Talk to your doctor. You want to make sure this loss of taste isn’t due to any type of medical condition. Oftentimes, it’s simply a result of aging. If the latter is the case, try some of these methods for making your meals more flavorful.
• Dry Mouth: Change in Habits. This can be solved by being more intentional about what you eat and drink. Be sure you get plenty of the following in place of coffee, regular gum, etc.
  • Water
  • Sugar Free Gum or Candy
  • Moist food:
    • Celery
    • Fennel
    • Rosemary
    • Parsley
    • Aniseed
• Loss of Teeth: Dentures are a fast and easy solution to pain relief and to a better smile. Here are some hygiene reminders for dentures:
  • Rinse your dentures after eating
  • Scrub once a day with a denture cleaner, mild soap or dish soap
    • You can gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush for tough dirt
  • Take your dentures out before you go to bed and let them soak in a solution overnight
  • Handle your dentures carefully so they don’t bend or break.

Plan Ahead

To save you a lot of pain and money, it’s important to plan ahead. Aside from dental plans, think about logistics. At times, it can be difficult to leave the house, or even make an appointment to go see the dentist. The best thing to do if you’re in a situation like this is to ask! See if a relative could drive you to the dentist or help you make an appointment. It may also be helpful to have them take you to the grocery store while you’re out so you can stock up on some dental care essentials like toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash. Simply reaching out to a relative or friend for help will solve a multitude of problems. They can help you think of other needs and ways to plan for the future.

Yes, life is busy, but dental health should be at the top of the list. We hope these reminders have been beneficial for you!

What are some things you do to stay on track with your dental health?