Oral health problems in adults 65+
If you care for elderly parents or other senior adults, make sure their oral health is at the top of your list. A regular oral health routine that includes brushing, flossing and preventive care not only helps seniors protect their teeth and gums but can also help maintain their overall health and quality of life. For instance, poor dental health has been linked to heart disease and dementia, among other conditions.
Oral health problems in adults 65+
Among people 65 years old or older, certain dental conditions are widespread:
These conditions can become more common in elderly people as a result of health conditions such as diabetes and the side effects of medications. Other age-related conditions, such as cognitive impairment, dementia, vision loss and loss of mobility, can make it difficult for older adults to maintain an oral heath routine.
What can I do to help?
Help older adults protect their oral health by making sure that they do the following:
What if my elderly relative lives in an assisted living facility or skilled nursing home?
You might assume that residents of assisted living facilities would automatically receive adequate, if not excellent, dental care. However, elderly people who live in these facilities are actually at risk for poor oral health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If your loved one lives in an assisted living facility, here are some steps you can take to ensure quality dental care.
Ask whether there’s a dentist or trained dental professional on site.
Find out how often residents get a professional dental exam and cleaning.
Ask what’s included in the daily oral health routine — including denture care — and what policies ensure residents follow this routine.
Confirm that someone on the care staff helps your loved one maintain proper oral health if your loved one can’t do so independently.
What else can I do?
Preventive care is key. Make sure the person you care for is scheduled for regular visits to the dentist. This should include:
If you notice that the person you care for has tooth decay or other oral health problems, contact a dentist immediately.
And don’t forget dental coverage
When people retire from their jobs, they often lose the dental coverage they had as part of their benefits package. And while your parent or loved one may have Medicare, keep in mind that Original Medicare and Medigap don’t provide dental coverage. In fact, 47% of Medicare beneficiaries have no dental coverage at all.
If your loved one doesn’t have dental insurance, consider purchasing a plan. Most dental plans cover 100% of preventive care, which can diagnose problems and prevent them from getting worse. Coverage can also help reduce the cost of minor and major dental procedures.
Learn more about the advantages of dental coverage for seniors and Delta Dental’s individual dental plan options.
COVID-19 pandemic challenges and solutions
The current pandemic has created a number of oral health challenges for seniors. Here are a few of the most common ones and what you can do to address them.
Pandemic-related dental health issues for seniors:
Effective solutions for caregivers:
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