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
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
New Data Show Delve Bio's Metagenomic Testing Delivers Broader, Deeper Pathogen Identification Compared to Traditional Testing
Data Presented at the 2025 American Society for Microbiology Microbe Conference BOSTON, June 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Delve Bio, a pioneer in metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for infectious diseases, today announced data presented at the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Microbe conference in Los Angeles showing the impact of metagenomic sequencing for transforming infectious disease diagnostics by offering advances compared to traditional microbiological testing. Among the data presented at the meeting is a comparison of Delve's metagenomic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test, Delve Detect CSF, compared to a traditional PCR-based meningitis/encephalitis (ME) panel. The study reanalyzed samples from a diverse patient cohort previously tested using the ME panel. The data showed that mNGS can be used in conjunction with microbiological testing to increase diagnostic yield by identifying pathogens that are not detectable with traditional, pathogen-specific panel testing. The inclusion of mNGS tests like Delve Detect, which has a 48-hour turnaround time, can shorten time to diagnosis, enabling clinicians to initiate targeted therapies sooner. "This study showed substantial agreement between Delve Detect and a syndromic PCR panel. But importantly, Delve Detect also identified pathogens that were not included on the PCR panel and would have been missed as causes of a patient's infection if mNGS were not included in the diagnostic workup," said Benjamin Bradley, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of virology and molecular infectious diseases at ARUP Laboratories. "This study supports including mNGS in the diagnostic workup for patients with complex central nervous system infections." The study included 122 samples — 47 positive and 75 negative. Analysis showed that in comparison with the ME panel, Delve Detect CSF demonstrated approximately 10% higher positivity rate (48% vs. 38%), with an additive diagnostic yield of 24%. This added yield included detection of multiple co-infections, 16 unique organisms not included in the ME panel, and positive detections in 19 samples (25%) that were negative by the ME panel. Additionally, in samples that were negative by both tests, Delve Detect CSF showed high agreement (95%) with the ME panel, supporting the negative predictive value of mNGS. The company's full presence at ASM Microbe 2025 includes: Delve's chief medical officer Steve Miller, M.D., Ph.D. hosted A New Era: Metagenomic Sequencing for Comprehensive Pathogen Detection, exploring real world evidence, clinical cases and considerations for laboratory teams implementing mNGS. Presentation of a case report in a feature poster, Using Metagenomic Sequencing to Diagnose a Novel Moraxella CNS Shunt Infection in a Culture-Negative Case Presentation of data comparing the company's mNGS CSF test, Delve Detect, to a widely used, PCR meningitis/encephalitis panel as part of the session Assessing the Clinical Impact of Next-Generation Sequencing: Where Are We Now? "These presentations at ASM highlight the transformation underway in infectious disease diagnostics. Delve Bio's metagenomic sequencing technology enables clinicians to identify the cause of serious central nervous system infections when existing methods do not deliver a diagnosis and speed is critical," said Brad Murray, chief executive officer of Delve Bio. "We're working to make this technology more widely available to neurologists, infectious disease physicians and laboratory teams so they can get patients the answers they need." Conference attendees are also invited to visit Delve Bio at booth #1440 to learn more about the company's metagenomic platform, including Delve Detect and its proprietary bioinformatics platform Delve Decide. Delve Detect is Delve Bio's flagship metagenomic testing service, providing comprehensive pathogen detection with a 48-hour turnaround time after sample receipt and including access to Delve's Clinical Microbial Sequencing Board, an on-call team of infectious disease experts who review results in clinical context. About Delve Bio, Inc. Delve Bio is a metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) company that empowers laboratories and clinicians with the insights they need to confidently diagnose routine and rare infectious diseases, thereby minimizing the impact of harmful pathogens on humanity. By leveraging its unbiased, pathogen-agnostic mNGS platform, Delve Bio is able to identify a wide range of pathogens with a single test. Founded by world leaders in genomics and infectious disease Drs. Charles Chiu, Joe DeRisi, Michael Wilson, Pardis Sabeti, and Matthew Meyerson, the company is backed by top institutional investors including Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund II, Section 32, and GV, along with leading individual investors. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Company Contact Amy WongSenior Director of Marketing and Business Development, Delve BioEmail: media@ Media Contact Julie McKeough42 North for Delve BioEmail: julie@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training, family says
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hall of Fame horse racing trainer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training, Churchill Downs announced Sunday after speaking with members of his family. Lukas' family said the 89-year-old has battled a severe infection that has worsened and that he has declined an aggressive treatment plan to instead return home. His horses have been transferred to assistant trainer Sebastian 'Bas' Nicholl.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
These tips can help keep people stay cool and healthy during a heat wave
Here are tips for beating the heat in Southeast Michigan Here are tips for beating the heat in Southeast Michigan Here are tips for beating the heat in Southeast Michigan The first day of summer officially was Friday, and on Saturday, people in Michigan felt it. Metro Detroit, much like the rest of the country, began to experience the season's first heat wave, and families across the region made their way to wherever they could cool off, like at Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. "My kids all week were like, 'We really want water, mom,' and we couldn't wait for today because it was so hot outside," Jenna Megalizzi, who is visiting from Pennsylvania, said. "So, we kind of scoured the area and figured this was a good place to water is always welcome during the summer heat." While the splash pad was busy all day Saturday, it should look like more of the same as the weather stays uncomfortably hot. Experts say heat like this could be dangerous. "When you have heat exhaustion, when you have high temperatures, you are also putting your body through a dehydration kind of strike," Dr. Chadi Alraies, a cardiologist at Detroit Medical Center, said. Alraies added that, similar to when we experience the extreme cold, he expects the emergency room to be busier than normal during this heat wave. "The squeeze function of the heart will go up, the exertion that the heart has to go through goes up, the blood pressure goes up, which also puts stress on the heart," Alraies said. He suggests people limit their time in the sun, especially from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and always stay hydrated by drinking water with electrolytes. Parents at the splashpad said they're emphasizing that same advice to their kids. Cousins Eve and Treasure told me their plans to stay cool, "Probably in the air conditioning once we get home. Yeah, a lot of water and sunscreen too. Staying hydrated, too," Cousins Eve and Treasure said. Another important note for times like this is that the heat is most dangerous for the very young and very old.
