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Older Adults and Oral Health
Overview
Oral health, regardless of age, is integral to overall good health. Oral health is an important but often overlooked aspect of an older adult’s general health. Daily oral hygiene, ability to access routine professional oral health services, and oral health education are all key factors that can improve the oral health of older Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-fourth of persons age 65 and older have no remaining teeth. Nearly one-third of older adults have untreated tooth decay. Severe gum disease is associated with chronic disease and severe health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease.
Oral Health Problems
Whether caring for natural teeth or dentures, daily oral hygiene can mean older adults will be free of oral pain, can maintain a well balanced diet, and will enjoy interpersonal relationships and a positive self-image. Without practicing good oral health, advancing age may put older adults at risk for a number of oral health problems, including:
- Dry mouth
- Diminished sense of taste
- Root decay
- Gum disease
- Uneven jawbone caused by tooth loss
- Denture-induced tissue inflammation
- Overgrowth of fungus in the mouth, known as thrush
- Attrition (loss of teeth structure by mechanical forces)
- Oral Cancer
Oral health problems in older adults make it more difficult for them to consume a healthy diet. Oral health related physical factors directly affecting nutrition include: changes in chewing ability, dry mouth commonly caused by a side effect of medicine, untreated tooth decay, loose or missing teeth, dentures or implants, and ill-fitting bridges or dentures. Regular oral health care can improve and prevent oral health problems.
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Accessing Affordable Dental Care
Good oral hygiene, choosing a healthy lifestyle and getting regular dental check-ups are all important steps to a healthy mouth. While it can be difficult for older adults to access typical health care settings; it can be especially difficult to access the oral health care system. Barriers to accessing affordable oral health care include:
- Living on a fixed income
- Cost of oral health care
- Limited dental insurance for retirees (not included in Medicare)
- Oral Health programs that offer affordable services
- Mobility limitations / Transportation
- Translation for immigrant older adults
Resources are available to help overcome the barriers to accessing affordable oral health care. The National Institute of Health offers the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse, a resource for finding low cost oral health care. MedicareInteractive.org provides information about affordable dental care resources .
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Innovative Programs
From developing public private partnerships to providing information clearinghouses, the Aging Service Network is working to help address the oral health needs of older adults. A number of innovative oral health programs funded with Older Americans Act Title IIID funds includ
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) District 7, Inc.’s Ohio State University Geriatric Dentistry Program Appalachian Outreach Project
This program began as a pilot in the fall of 2000. AAA7 partnered with Dr. Abdel Mohammad and the OSU Geriatric Dentistry program to provide mobile dental services to older adults in Pike County, Ohio. AAA7 later funded the program on a yearly basis and senior year dental students of OSU’s Geriatric Dental Program provide dental services twice each month throughout the region. The aging network provides transportation to the location (senior center, congregate nutrition site, or senior housing complex) and services include: cleanings, fillings, extractions, denture relining and repair and even difficult dental issues thanks to access to the OSU Geriatric Clinic at OSU College of Dentistry one time a month. In 2005 AAA7 expanded the program through a grant to grandparents over 50 years old raising their grandchildren – both receiving dental care during their visits.
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging Smiles for a Lifetime Program
This program is a comprehensive oral health care program for older Kansans in partnership with Central Plains AAA, serving multiple counties.
Share your innovative oral health program! The Administration on Aging would like to acknowledge the work of the Aging Services Network is enhancing the oral health of older adults across the country. Let us know about innovative oral health programs in your community. If you would like to submit your oral health program, please email Danielle Nelson.
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Resources
Center for Disease Control: Oral Health and Older Americans
Women’sHealth.gov: Oral Health Fact Sheet
NIDCR Information for Older Adults
NIH Senior Health: Gum (Periodontal) Disease
American Dental Association
Smiles for Life National Oral Health Curriculum
Senate Hearing on the Dental Crisis in America, Health Education Labor & Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging held a hearing, &ldauo;Dental Crisis in America: The Need to Expand Access”
Senate Subcommittee Report “Dental Crisis in America: the Need to Expand Access”
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| Last Modified: 3/5/2012 1:17:28 PM |
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