Toothbrushes and Daily Dental Care for the Elderly

Daily dental care is important, no matter what your age. It’s important to keep your teeth healthy so you can eat food properly and without pain and be confident in your appearance. As we age, we start to see various oral health problems appear that might not be threats to young people. Cavities, tooth loss, and periodontitis (gum disease) are all major oral health threats. They can become much more serious as we age.

What specific oral health risks are faced by the elderly?

Untreated tooth decay

As  we get older and more comfortable in our own ways, some parts of the daily health routine might miss the mark or. Some things may be overlooked – this happens when brushing teeth especially. Nearly all adults (over 95 %) have had a cavity in their life. About 20 % of elderly individuals have untreated tooth decay.

Higher risk of gum disease

About 2 thirds of elderly adults have gum disease in some form. It can range from severe, risking tooth loss, to mild, resulting in minor swelling or inflammation.

Tooth loss

About 13% of adults 65 years or older have no teeth. By age 75, 26% of adults have lost all of their teeth. Missing teeth/wearing dentures can seriously effect nutrition, as it plays a major role in chewing food.

Dry mouth

Many Americans 65 and older have chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease. Often, they must take prescription medications daily to combat these diseases. Prescription medications can reduce saliva production. Reduced saliva flow results in increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva plays an important role in washing out the mouth and neutralizing the pH balance so the mouth does not become too acidic.

Oral cancers

The median age that people are diagnosed with cancers of the mouth/throat is 62. Cancer often takes years to develop, so it is most often found in older people.

For further reading on oral health threats to the elderly, this CDC article covers adult tooth loss and other oral health risks.

How the elderly can maintain their oral health

Fortunately, the rules for keeping your mouth healthy are pretty much the same no matter your age, however elderly people will need to keep a few extra things in mind.

General tips

• Brush twice a day. Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush for about 3 minutes each time. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every few months or once it starts showing wear and tear.
• Drink plenty of water. Water helps stimulate saliva flow and washes out the mouth.
• Avoid extra sugary/acidic foods. These foods can stain the teeth and provoke more tooth decay.
• Floss once a day.
• Visit your dentist for a check up twice a year.

Dental care for the elderly

• Use a soft or medium-soft toothbrush. This is important because older people are more likely to have significant gum recession. This exposes more of the root of the tooth, making the area more sensitive. A toothbrush that isn’t soft enough can cause pain, leading to that area being skipped when brushing.
• Reminders from loved ones may be required about when to replace the toothbrush.
• The elderly are more likely to have bridges, crowns, and tooth replacements. This means that extra care needs to be taken to ensure that these surgical tooth replacements aren’t damaged.
• Assistance may be needed in brushing, as an elderly person may have a reduced range of motion with their hand, arm, and wrist.
• Ask a professional. Ask your dentist or oral hygienist about how you or an elderly person you know can best take care of their health. The landscape is a lot more difficult to navigate with tooth replacements, reduced range of motion, and recessed gums.
• Consider an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are much more efficient at removing plaque, and increasing gum health. This study demonstrated that electric toothbrushes used in the short run promote better gum and tooth health.
• If gripping the toothbrush is a problem, you can put a rubber bicycle handle around it, or pad it out with some type of foam.

Toothbrushes for the elderly

Medium soft, or soft

Many elderly people have recessed gums, so a brush with soft bristles is a good start. Additionally, crowns and other tooth replacements may require a more sensitive brush as well.

Electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes fulfill a number of functions for the elderly.

• They help reduce the amount of movement required thanks to the oscillating head.
• They are more efficient at cleaning the mouth than manual toothbrushes.
• They have specific settings that can be used on sensitive teeth/recessed gums.
• Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers that help people spend the right amount of time brushing.

Some good electric toothbrush brands to look at are: Sonicare, Oral-B, and Rotatdent.

Need help with your oral health?

If you or a loved one is elderly, and concerned about oral health, then feel free to ask us how we can help. Josey Lane Dentistry has been serving the Carrollton Texas elderly community faithfully for years. We are happy to assist you with any questions you have about oral care, surgery, tooth replacement, and more. We offer full family service, from grandma and grandpa down to young children working on their first set of teeth. If you have any questions about what we can do for you, send us a message or give us a call today.