Oral Diseases Found in the Elderly​

• Tooth decay
  
• Gum disease
  
• Dry mouth
  
• Ill-fitting dentures
  
• Oral cancer
  

PREVENTION is the key to healthy living.  To maintain optimal oral health throughout a lifetime means daily oral care and regular professional care must be a priority.   With appropriate daily oral care and regular oral examinations and teeth cleaning, a dentition can be maintained for a lifetime. 

Poor oral hygiene, dry mouth and tooth decay

​Oral Care for Individuals with Dentures:

• ​Daily removal of dentures at night: dentures should be cleaned with a toothbrush & toothpaste and placed in a denture cup with water and a tablet of effervescent denture cleanser overnight
  
• Regular dental visits every 6 months
  

Michigan Geriatric    Dental Care

H E A L T H Y   S M I L E S   F O R   A   L I F E T I M E

​M A R Y  M  F I S H E R,  D D S ​​

Problems Caused by Oral Diseases in the Elderly​​​

• Pain
  
• Systemic infection
  
• Loss of oral function:
  -        difficulty eating
  -        impaired nutritional intake
  -        poor taste
  -        poor communication
  -        poor interpersonal contacts
  

Oral Care & The Elderly

Prevention of Oral Disease​

Ill-fitting Dentures

​​Oral Care for Individuals with Teeth:

• Daily brushing and flossing:
  -        2-3 times per day
  -        After each meal and before bedtime
  
• Regular dental visits every 3-4 months
  
• Monthly or bi-monthly dental visits for those patients with advanced dementia​