You Deserve a Healthy Smile—And a Healthier Life

As you consider your older family members and your own aging, you worry about many things. Some of these items typically include mobility issues, memory decline, or managing chronic illness—and that’s natural. But if dental care slips, you’re missing a key piece of your health puzzle.

Poor oral hygiene often falls by the wayside due to:

• Dental anxiety
• Cost, especially since Medicare doesn’t typically cover routine dental visits
• Mobility or cognitive challenges
• The mistaken belief that tooth loss is a normal part of aging

Yet when you ignore your mouth, the impact ripples. Untreated gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss don’t just affect your teeth. These issues can worsen chronic illness, drain your energy, and erode your quality of life.

The Hidden Health Toll of Neglected Teeth

You’re not just dealing with sore or bleeding gums. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues around your teeth. It often leads to bone loss and tooth loss.

Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body, so it's not surprising that your oral health can affect your overall health and vice versa. — Dr. Tien Jiang, a prosthodontist in the Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Studies show people with gum disease are more likely to suffer serious health issues, including heart attacks and strokes. One report notes that those with periodontal disease face nearly double the risk of heart attack compared to people with healthy gums. The inflammation and bacteria may enter your bloodstream and contribute to arterial plaque and vessel damage.

Still, experts warn against implying gum disease directly causes heart disease. The relationship remains an association, not a proven cause-and-effect link. It’s something to watch, though—not ignore.

More Than Your Smile—Systemic Risks

• Heart health: Gum microbes can trigger inflammation, raising the risk of atherosclerosis and endocarditis.
• Stroke & cognitive decline: Oral inflammation may double the chance of stroke and can impair memory and thinking in seniors.
• Pneumonia: Poor oral hygiene puts frail seniors at risk for respiratory infections, including aspiration pneumonia.
• Diabetes: Gum disease can make blood glucose harder to control, creating a feedback loop of worsening health.
• Nutrition & chewing: Missing or painful teeth interfere with eating, increasing the risk of malnutrition, weight loss, and frailty.
• Oral microbiome balance: A healthy mouth helps prevent harmful bacteria from settling in. Experts link balanced oral bacteria to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and Alzheimer’s.

Preventive Care: Simple, Effective, Essential

Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said you’re not healthy without good oral health. Skipping brushing, missing dental visits, or having trouble chewing are red flags. A recent LTC News article calls deteriorating oral hygiene habits a key indicator of overall decline—often tied to depression, early dementia, or physical limitations.

If you’re managing a condition like heart disease, be proactive about your oral health.

I spend an inordinate amount of time talking to (heart valve patients) about their teeth because we know certain heart valve infections can be associated with poor oral health. This is a good reminder that the mouth is an important part of a person's entire health and simple, daily behaviors that improve health are incredibly important. — Dr. Ann Bolger, a cardiologist and professor of medicine emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco.

Preventive oral care cannot be avoided. Be sure to schedule regular dental visits, which for some people may be as frequent as twice a year. If you don't have a dentist, you should find an experienced and trusted dentist in Santa Rosa, Des Moines, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, or wherever you live.

Either do a simple internet search or ask for referrals from friends, neighbors, co-workers, or even your primary physician. Medicare does not cover most dental work, so you can purchase dental insurance to cover some of this cost. Many insurance companies, like Mutual of Omaha and Aetna, offer coverage.

While you’re still working, take advantage of your employer’s voluntary dental coverage. Once you retire, you’ll need to secure your own dental insurance.

Meanwhile, what else can you do to protect dental health—your own or a loved one’s?

Here’s what works:

• The American Heart Association recommends brushing teeth twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily—even if it seems like too much, do it anyway.
• Visit a dentist—or hygienist—for cleaning and exam biannually.
• Manage dry mouth (a common medication side effect): stay hydrated and ask about saliva aids.
• Care for dentures and ensure they fit well.
• Maintain a balanced diet to support both oral health and nutrition.

These steps are low-cost, accessible, and powerful.

Why Smiling Still Matters

A healthy mouth supports more than health—it sustains independence and dignity. When your teeth hurt or you’re self-conscious about your smile, you may pull back from social life, and isolation can follow.

Oral health is integral to the health and well-being of all. — Rena D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D.

A vibrant smile helps you eat, speak, and connect with others, strengthening your social and emotional well-being.

Share your thoughts and experiences about aging, caregiving, health, and long-term care with LTC News —Contact LTC News.

Caregivers’ Corner: How You Can Help

When someone you care for is aging in place—or living in long-term care—oral health is often overlooked. Yet your role is essential.

By noticing warning signs, helping with daily care, scheduling dental visits, and advocating in care settings, you can protect not just a smile, but overall well-being.

Watch for early warning signs.

Alertness matters. Look for:

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
• Persistent bad breath
• Difficulty chewing or sudden food avoidance
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Unexplained weight changes
• Changes in mood, withdrawal, or social discomfort

Assist with daily oral care.

Many older adults struggle with dexterity, memory, or mobility. The ADA’s MouthHealthy guide notes:

If the person in your care can do the basics, let them. … People with dementia may need someone to clean their teeth each day and take them to a dentist.

Simple tools make a difference:

• Use electric or adaptive toothbrushes
• Offer a fluoride rinse if flossing is difficult
• Clean dentures daily, check for fit
• Set reminders and gently support the routine
• Make dental visits happen.

Professional care is crucial, yet often skipped due to transport limitations, fear, or cost.

Strategies that help:

• Be sure to schedule checkups every six months or at least annually
• Arrange for reliable transportation or explore mobile/home dental services
• Inform the dentist of medical conditions—like diabetes or heart disease—and how they connect to oral health

• Advocate within care settings.

In assisted living or nursing homes, oral hygiene may fall off the radar. As a caregiver, you can:

• Ask staff how daily oral care is managed
• Encourage including oral hygiene in care plans
• Voice concerns if signs of discomfort appear, especially in residents with dementia

Supporting evidence shows that caregivers play a pivotal role. A qualitative study on homebound older adults found caregivers—often unpaid female family members—carry the responsibility for both daily general and oral care. Yet, they face significant barriers in accessing services and support.

Why it matters: Keeping mouths clean and pain-free supports better nutrition, reduces infection risk, and preserves social engagement. As the University of Arizona’s Elder Care resource emphasizes, caregivers “are an important part of the oral health team.”

Caregivers are critical partners in preserving seniors’ oral health. With support and proper tools, they can prevent painful infections, improve nutrition, and maintain dignity through daily oral care.— Dr. Karen Tam, RDH, MSDH, PhD, Associate Dean of Allied Health, Pima Community College.

Why Policy & Planning Must Include Dental Care

Many older adults struggle to access dentistry—or simply ignore it due to limitations. A 2024 review found that few national policies address oral care in elder populations, even though some countries like Australia and Ireland include oral checkups and care planning in aged care plans.

This gap raises health disparities and undermines healthy aging.

Your Smile, Your Health, Your Life

If you’re preparing for retirement and long-term care, remember: Medicare typically doesn’t cover routine dental services. Consider budgeting or seeking supplemental coverage that includes dental insurance.

Skipping dental care may seem minor. In truth, maintaining your smile is deeply connected to your physical, mental, and social well-being. By staying proactive—through daily care, regular checkups, and support where needed—you’re protecting more than your teeth. You're protecting your independence, dignity, and the quality of your life.