If you think dental care for the elderly only involves soaking false teeth in a glass overnight, think again. “We don’t see many dentures at all,” explains Dr. Kurt Weisenfels, a Webster Groves dentist. “If people can avoid them, they do.” That’s good news for those who imagined membership in the AARP might come with a complimentary
jar of dental adhesive.
Instead, many people are keeping their natural teeth or opting for alternatives like dental implants. The implant procedure, which requires an oral surgeon to place a titanium peg into the patient’s jawbone, sounds painful, but Dr. Elliot Leon, a Florissant dentist, explains that it “shouldn’t be any more painful than having a tooth removed.” The implants offer a permanent, nonremovable alternative to bridges or dentures. There are drawbacks, of course. The procedure is expensive (about $4,000 to start), and many insurance plans don’t cover it.
Advances in dental care not only have eliminated much of the need for dentures, but also allow many to keep their natural teeth into old age. “Age 60 is like the 50 of years ago,” explains Weisenfels. But the elderly still have special needs. Dentists say the biggest issue facing elderly patients today is dry mouth, which is usually caused by medication. Dry mouth can lead to more and faster decay, so dentists encourage elderly patients and those taking medication that could foster the condition to be especially vigilant about their dental care.
Need some tips? Leon recommends an electric toothbrush. “They’re wonderful, especially for elderly patients who have lost some dexterity,” he says. It’s common knowledge that flossing is important, but water irrigators can also be helpful for elderly patients who can no longer do so. And don’t forget your tongue—keeping it clean is key to removing bacteria from the mouth.
On the whole, two central rules of good dental care are relevant at any age: It’s important to keep a clean mouth and visit the dentist regularly. “The main thing,” says Leon, “is for elderly patients to just maintain what they have as best they can.”
