Oral Health For Aging Adults

April 2, 2025

What are common dental problems in older adults?

As we age, oral health challenges like dry mouth, gum recession, and enamel erosion become more common. Dry mouth can increase the risk of cavities, while gum recession exposes sensitive tooth roots, and enamel erosion weakens teeth over time. By focusing on preventative care, you can keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.

Taking care of your teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment. As we get older, our smile needs a little extra care to stay healthy. Let’s discuss three common oral health challenges that come with age, and more importantly, some effective methods to handle them.

Dry Mouth: When Your Mouth Feels Like a Desert

Have you ever woken up feeling like your tongue is sticky, tacky, or dry? Dry mouth is a condition where the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. As we age, saliva production naturally decreases. Since saliva helps protect your teeth and surrounding oral tissues, less saliva can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, thin oral tissue, and general discomfort.

Minimize Dry Mouth:

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of plain water throughout the day.
Chew sugar-free gum or suck on lozenges to stimulate saliva production.
Use over-the-counter moisturizing sprays for relief.

Dry mouth can be exacerbated with tobacco use, diets high in salt or sugar, and certain medications. If your dry mouth is severe, your dentist can help by creating a custom treatment plan for long-term relief.

Gum Recession: When Your Gums Start Pulling Back

If your teeth appear longer than they used to, they’re not growing. Actually, your gums are receding. Over time, our gums naturally thin and recede, but gum tissue is important in providing stability and protecting your tooth roots from sensitivity and bacteria.

Though some gum recession is normal, brushing too hard, smoking, and grinding your teeth can cause it to worsen over time. Without healthy gums, teeth can build up harmful bacteria, become loose, and in serious cases, fall out completely.

Protect Your Gums:

Swap to a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently at the gumline.
Choose a fluoride-based or nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) toothpaste to reduce sensitivity.
Regularly visit your dentist for a professional cleaning.
Floss daily and avoid tobacco.

Maintaining a consistent hygiene routine is the best method to prevent serious gum recession. Depending on your lifestyle, your dentist may recommend a detailed periodontal therapy plan for the best care.

Enamel Erosion: When Your Teeth Lose Their Protection

Tooth enamel is the hard, outermost layer of your tooth that protects the nerves and gives your teeth their white color. Enamel naturally wears down over time, leaving our teeth more vulnerable as we age. Factors like diet (acidic foods and beverages such as coffee or alcohol are the worst), teeth grinding, and even poor brushing technique can intensify this wear-and-tear, in a process known as dental erosion. Thinner enamel means greater sensitivity and a higher risk of tooth decay.

Keep Enamel Strong:

Use toothpaste designed to protect tooth enamel and brush gently.
Consider wearing a nightguard or retainers to prevent tooth grinding.
Limit the amount of acidic or sugary foods you consume. Then, rinse your mouth with plain water to minimize the acid effects.

Most importantly, regular dental checkups can catch and minimize the early signs of erosion before it becomes a significant problem.

Always Keep Smiling

Aging comes with changes, but your smile doesn’t have to suffer. A good at-home care routine paired with regular dental visits are key to keeping your smile healthy for a lifetime. With a few small adjustments and a trusted team at your back, you can keep your teeth stronger for longer, and your gums healthy. So brush well, sip some water, and visit your dentist today to give your teeth the love and care they deserve.