Dental experts reveal 6 essential tips to prevent tooth loss in aging adults
Some may assume that losing teeth is just part of growing older.
Around 11% of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have lost all of their teeth, according to 2020 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — and that number rises to one in five at age 75 and older.
But according to experts, this isn't inevitable. Dental professionals shared the following tips to prevent tooth loss and boost overall health.
About two in three adults over age 65 are dealing with some form of gum disease, according to a recently published AARP report.
Clinical experts cited in the report, including Dr. Uchenna Akosa, assistant professor and director at Rutgers Health University Dental Associates in New Jersey, warn that bleeding gums can signal a much deeper problem.
"Even if you have not lost any teeth, gum disease impairs your ability to chew hard food," Akosa told AARP. "That will affect your nutrition and can put you at risk of malnutrition in the future."
Left untreated, gum disease can also destroy the bones that hold teeth in place and may interfere with nutrition and chewing.
Gum disease is also a source of chronic inflammation in the body, which can contribute to dementia risk, studies have shown. A meta-analysis of about 34,000 people found that older adults who had lost all of their teeth had a 1.4 times greater risk of developing dementia, as cited by AARP.
The publication also points to previous research linking gum disease to other health risks, such as heart attack, stroke and cancer.
Around 11% of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have lost all of their teeth.
Experts recommend focusing on early prevention. If your gums bleed when brushing, or if you notice sensitivity or recession, those are signs to schedule a dental visit.
Regular professional cleanings and checkups can catch gum problems before they lead to tooth loss or other health effects.
AARP reports that switching to an electric toothbrush, brushing twice daily for two minutes and using a water flosser are all effective ways to protect gum health.
Dr. David Frey, a cosmetic dentist at Your Perfect Smile in Beverly Hills, California, said that he often recommends water flossers – particularly the Sonic-Fusion by Waterpik – to older patients.
"It's especially valuable for patients with arthritis, limited mobility or trouble using traditional floss," Frey told Fox News Digital.
Saliva plays an essential role in neutralizing acids and protecting tooth enamel, but dry mouth affects nearly six in 10 older adults, according to AARP.
Many common medications — including antihistamines, antidepressants and blood pressure drugs — can reduce saliva production, making the mouth more prone to tooth decay, infection and gum disease, WebMD states.
To prevent dry mouth, AARP recommends sipping water regularly, rinsing the mouth after eating, asking your dentist about prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, and using dry mouth rinses like Biotene or Act.
Contrary to the standard six-month checkup rule, AARP notes that dental care schedules should be personalized.
One doctor in the report noted that there's "nothing magical about a six-month checkup" — some people may only need to go once a year, while others, especially those with chronic conditions, may need more frequent visits.
Oral health issues in older adults often go unnoticed, especially those related to bite alignment, according to Frey.
"Bite-related issues are often an overlooked source of headaches and neck pain," he told Fox News Digital. "The public simply hasn't been informed that tension, misalignment and jaw dysfunction can manifest in ways that seem unrelated at first glance."
Evaluating bite position and jaw health can sometimes reveal the root causes of chronic discomfort, Frey noted.
"When I combine 3D imaging with a close exam of the teeth — worn surfaces, tiny fractures and chipping — it often reveals that the muscles around the head and neck aren't in harmony with the bite."
Only three in 10 adults over 65 have dental insurance, per the American Dental Association, and Medicare typically doesn't cover cleanings, fillings or other routine procedures.
This financial gap often leads people to skip dental care altogether, which can cause more serious (and expensive) problems in the future.
AARP suggests looking into dental savings plans, local dental schools or sliding-scale community clinics if coverage is an issue.
Smoking is a major contributor to tooth loss.
CDC data shows that smokers are up to three times more likely to lose all their teeth than non-smokers.
And while sugary cough drops or hard candies may seem harmless, they can be damaging to tooth enamel over time, experts warn.
Switching to sugar-free gum or candies containing xylitol may help prevent cavities and support better oral health, Akosa told AARP.
One of the biggest misconceptions about aging and dental health is that worn, discolored teeth are something to simply accept, according to Frey.
"It's not just about revitalizing the teeth — it's about revitalizing the person."
"A delicate, thin porcelain veneer can restore the vitality, color and shape your teeth once had, enhancing your smile and overall appearance," he told Fox News Digital.
"And it's not just cosmetic — it's about restoring health, confidence and proper function."
According to Dr. Frey, "It's not just about revitalizing the teeth — it's about revitalizing the person."
For those looking to brighten their smile, Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in St. Louis, recommends seeing a dentist before trying any whitening treatments, per the AARP report.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
"In-office treatments remain the safest, most effective option, while professional-grade take-home kits and OTC products can be great for maintenance," Fraundorf said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vogue
43 minutes ago
- Vogue
The 'Cortisol Cocktail' Isn't Just Delicious—It Also Works
We don't need data to confirm that we're stressed—but there are countless studies and polls out there doing it. Case in point: The most recent Censis-Eudaimon Report, which revealed that 31.8% of people feel close to burnout due to work stress. It makes sense that social media is filled with stress-busting remedies. And while some of them should fall into the realm of old wives' tales, others may just be legit. The most popular one right now? A viral drink recipie claiming to lower cortisol, restore energy, relieve tension, and balance hormones. Besides the catchy name—the Cortisol Cocktail—could it be real? We dive in (and drink up). TikTok content This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. What is cortisol? First things first: Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Producing cortisol is typically a valuable ally for the body, as it plays a key role in regulating the metabolism, inflammation, and blood sugar levels, as well as having a direct influence on circadian rhythm. It's essential for the human body to survive, and because of that, the goal is never to eliminate it—but there is such a thing as too much cortisol. A consistently high level prevents your body from regaining homeostasis. Instead, you live in a place of constant stress. TikTok content This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. The Cortisol Cocktail recipe 200 ml of coconut water ½ squeezed lemon 50 ml of orange juice 1 teaspoon of magnesium powder ¼ teaspoon fine salt Sparkling water to taste Why the Cortisol Cocktail works Each of the ingredients of the Cortisol Cocktail is carefully chosen for its health-supporting benefits: salt, magnesium, orange, and lemon. Alone, they are great—but combined? Well, that's why the drink has gone viral. Sodium, potassium, and sugars, in fact, represent the perfect cocktail to give the body a boost. The presence of coconut water, on the other hand, promotes hydration, as well as giving the drink a delicate and pleasant flavor. It's a nonalcoholic cocktail that allows you to imagine yourself elsewhere, on vacation perhaps, acting on the negative effects of cortisol and helping to relax the mind.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bill Gates reveals 'next phase of Alzheimer's fight' as he shares dad's personal battle
Bill Gates is speaking out about his personal experience with Alzheimer's — and his hope for progress in fighting the disease. In an essay published this week on his blog at the Microsoft co-founder and tech billionaire, 69, reflected on the difficulty of spending another Father's Day without his dad, Bill Gates Sr. The elder Gates passed away in 2020 at the age of 94 after battling Alzheimer's. Rates Of Dementia Are Lower In People Who Eat This Specific Diet, Research Shows "It was a brutal experience, watching my brilliant, loving father go downhill and disappear," Gates wrote in the blog post. Today, motivated by his own experience with the common dementia, Gates — who serves as chair of the Gates Foundation — is committed to working toward a cure for the common dementia, which currently affects more than seven million Americans, or one in nine people over 65. Read On The Fox News App In his blog, Gates expressed optimism about the "massive progress" being made in the fight against Alzheimer's and other dementias. Last year, Gates said he visited Indiana University's School of Medicine in Indianapolis to tour the labs where teams have been researching Alzheimer's biomarkers. Bill Gates Likely Had Autism As A Child, He Reveals: 'Wasn't Widely Understood' "I also got the opportunity to look under the hood of new automated machines that will soon be running diagnostics around the world," he wrote. "It's an exciting time in a challenging space." One of the biggest breakthroughs in Alzheimer's research, according to Gates, is blood-based diagnostic tests, which detect the ratio of amyloid plaques in the brain. (Amyloid plaques, clumps of protein that accumulate in the brain, are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's.) "I'm optimistic that these tests will be a game-changer," Gates wrote. Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first blood-based test for patients 55 years and older, as Fox News Digital reported at the time. Traditionally, Gates noted, the primary path to Alzheimer's diagnosis was either a PET scan (medical imaging) or spinal tap (lumbar puncture), which were usually only performed when symptoms emerged. The hope is that blood-based tests could do a better job of catching the disease early, decline begins. "We now know that the disease begins 15 to 20 years before you start to see any signs," Gates wrote. "A simple, accurate and easy-to-run blood test might one day make routine screening possible, identifying patients long before they experience cognitive decline," he stated. Gates said he is often asked, "What is the point of getting diagnosed if I can't do anything about it?" To that end, he expressed his optimism for the future of Alzheimer's treatments, noting that two drugs — Lecanemab (Leqembi) and Donanemab (Kisunla) — have gained FDA approval. "Both have proven to modestly slow down the progression of the disease, but what I'm really excited about is their potential when paired with an early diagnostic," Gates noted. He said he is also hopeful that the blood tests will help speed up the process of enrolling patients in clinical trials for new Alzheimer's drugs. To accomplish this, Gates is calling for increased funding for research, which often comes from federal grants. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "This is the moment to spend more money on research, not less," he wrote, also stating that "the quest to stop Alzheimer's has never had more momentum." "There is still a huge amount of work to be done — like deepening our understanding of the disease's pathology and developing even better diagnostics," Gates went on. Gates pointed out that when his father had Alzheimer's, it was considered a "death sentence," but that is starting to change. "I am blown away by how much we have learned about Alzheimer's over the last couple of years," he wrote. For more Health articles, visit "I cannot help but be filled with a sense of hope when I think of all the progress being made on Alzheimer's, even with so many challenges happening around the world. We are closer than ever before to a world where no one has to watch someone they love suffer from this awful disease."Original article source: Bill Gates reveals 'next phase of Alzheimer's fight' as he shares dad's personal battle
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Price Controls On Doctors Are Costing Patients Dearly
Market Manipulation Just like the December 2024 continuing resolution, the current budget reconciliation bill fails to address the problem of Medicare reimbursing physicians at below market rates. Without a fix, the inevitable consequences will be worsening doctor shortages, declining healthcare quality, higher overall healthcare spending, and the accelerated loss of independent practices. Of course, how do we know that Medicare's payments to doctors are below their economic value? To start, Medicare's reimbursement rates have declined relative to both the cost of running a medical practice and inflation. Doctors consistently report that they lose money treating Medicare patients. A survey of doctors found that Medicare's low reimbursement rates (68%) are a primary threat to independent practices. As for inflation, it has grown 34.5% overall since January 2016 while the prices received by doctors have grown less than half as much - just 15.1%. This is not due to demand for healthcare declining – remember the huge number of aging Baby Boomers seeking health care – or a huge surge in the number of qualified doctors serving patients. In fact, the level of doctors serving patients today - 25.4 active physicians per 10,000 residents - is down from 2019 and has fallen back to 2009 levels. The problem is government setting prices at below market levels. And setting prices below market rates cause adverse consequences to our health, such as fewer doctors available to serve patients. This creates serious health risks for patients including longer wait times for appointments, less access to specialty care, shorter doctor visits, larger numbers of medical errors, and more misdiagnoses or missed diagnoses. These risks are more acute for people living in rural areas, who have a higher chance of living in areas deemed 'medical deserts' or regions that lack sufficient access to pharmacies, primary care providers, and hospitals. Medicare's uneconomical reimbursement system is also changing how patient care is delivered. For example, under the current reimbursement system, Medicare compensates hospitals more than independent physician offices for performing the same service. This incentivizes independent practices to merge with hospitals. Consolidating lower-cost physician practices into higher-cost hospital systems is driving up overall healthcare costs for patients and taxpayers and is reducing patient choice. Congress has acknowledged that there are serious consequences from government price controls, enacting legislation to raise provider payments by 2.9% for most of 2024. But these payments went back down on January 1, and the problem continues to plague the healthcare system. Fixing Medicare's flawed reimbursement policy should be a top priority for Congress. The more efficient reform comprehensively addresses Medicare's broader deficiencies by turning Medicare into a cash-based benefit system that funds health savings accounts (HSAs) for seniors. This direct payment option allows beneficiaries to receive their Medicare benefits in the same manner that they receive their Social Security benefits. At current spending levels, Medicare could give each beneficiary $15,150 annually to cover their insurance and healthcare costs. Under this system, patients and physicians, not bureaucrats, would take change and prices would reflect value. Providers would have to compete and would be incentivized to find new and better ways to expand value and reducing costs for patients. Fundamental reforms that establish well-functioning healthcare and health insurance markets will take time. Given this, Congress could act more immediately to index government payments to medical inflation and stop paying different reimbursement rates for the same services depending on where care is delivered. With more people aging, taxpayers will be spending more and more for Medicare and Medicaid. Unless Congress acts soon to stop Medicare's underpayment of physicians, it is patients who will ultimately pay the highest price with less access to doctors and specialists and longer wait times for life-saving care.
