Oral Health

Sections

Causes

Aging of the teeth

Teeth change as people get older. 

  • The cells in the root of the tooth become less active. 
  • The outer layer of the tooth (enamel) gets weaker. This can cause cracks and darkening of the teeth. 
  • Teeth can also become less sensitive over time. Because of this, decay or broken teeth may go unnoticed.

Dental Decay

The risk of tooth decay (cavities) goes up with age. Decay in older adults often has no symptoms and can become serious before it is found. It can destroy much or all of a tooth.

Besides age, other things that raise the risk of decay include:

  • Poor oral hygiene (not cleaning teeth and mouth well every day)
  • Eating sweet or sticky foods
  • Dry mouth
  • Not enough fluoride treatment
  • Not being able to afford dental care

Regular dental care can help prevent cavities. It can also catch decay early and help you keep your natural teeth.

Treatment usually means removing the decay and filling or rebuilding the tooth. If decay reaches the root, a root canal or tooth removal may be needed.

Periodontal Disease 

The tissues around the teeth include the gums, bones, and ligaments. Gum disease (periodontal disease) happens when plaque (bacteria) builds up on teeth near the gums. If plaque stays on a tooth too long, it hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar can irritate the gums, cause disease, and can even lead to bone loss.

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that causes swollen, bleeding gums. Removing plaque can clear it up. But if the infection spreads to the bones and tissues holding the teeth in place, it can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss.

Things that raise the risk of gum disease include:

  • Age. Up to 70% of older adults have gum disease. If someone reaches old age without major bone loss, they likely will not get worse gum disease.
  • Smoking
  • Poor oral hygiene

Treating gum disease often includes:

  • Removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and roots below the gum line. This is called a deep cleaning. It often needs local numbing medicine and sometimes surgery.
  • Using antibiotics. A mouth rinse can be used with deep cleaning. Severe cases may need antibiotic pills.

To prevent gum disease:

  • Brush your teeth every day and clean between teeth with floss or special brushes.
  • Get regular dental checkups and cleanings (at least once or twice a year, depending on your dentist’s recommendations).
  • Use an electric toothbrush to make brushing easier for older adults and caregivers.

Missing Teeth and Dentures

Losing teeth is not a normal part of aging. About 17% of older adults have no natural teeth left. Lack of dental care, poor overall health, and poverty can all lead to tooth loss.

Problems that can come from losing many teeth include:

  • Big changes to the shape of the face if you do not have dentures
  • Loss of much of your ability to chew
  • Poor diet
  • Painful or uncomfortable dentures and sores
  • Bone loss in the jaw
  • Infection if dentures are not kept clean

To care for full or partial dentures:

  • Take them out every day, preferably at night
  • Clean them with mild dish soap and a denture brush
  • Soak them in denture cleaner a few times a week to remove stains and keep them clean
  • Soak them in water whenever they are out of your mouth

Oral Cancers

Oral cancers can look like painless red, white, or mixed red-and-white patches in the mouth. If not treated, they can grow and damage the soft and hard tissues nearby. This can cause pain, tooth loss, and trouble swallowing.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth can cause many problems for older adults. It can affect eating, speaking, how well dentures fit, mouth comfort, and quality of life. Low saliva makes it hard to speak and eat. Dentures may be harder to wear, and the mouth can be more easily hurt.

Ways to manage dry mouth include:

  • Using hard candies, lozenges, cough drops, or gum. (If they contain sugar, they can cause tooth decay.)
  • Drinking more water during the day. This is a simple and low-cost way to help.
  • Using saliva substitutes and mouth lubricants. These are available without a prescription and can be used as needed.
  • Taking medicines that help make more saliva. But these can have side effects.

Taste and Smell

Problems with taste and smell are common in older adults. Medicines are often the cause. Older adults may have trouble tasting food because of changes in smell, oral health, or wearing dentures. Using flavor-enhancing strategies can help frail older adults eat more.

 

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026 
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers 

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