Top 10 Oral Health Tips for Older Adults

How this list is ordered

The tips start with the daily basics that apply to nearly everyone, then cover care of dentures, dry mouth and medicines, the specific risk of root decay, diet and checking for changes, and end with getting help when cleaning becomes difficult. This is an editorial list based on NHS guidance and general dental advice and not a clinical protocol. It is written for older adults and for family members and carers, and some tips apply more to some people than others. A dentist or hygienist can tailor advice to your mouth, and a GP or pharmacist can advise on medicines and health conditions.

Why later life is different for the mouth

With age, gums can recede and expose the roots of the teeth, which have no hard enamel covering and decay more easily. Many older adults take medicines that dry the mouth, and saliva is the mouth's main natural protection, so less saliva raises the risk of decay and gum problems. Long-term conditions, arthritis in the hands, tremor, memory problems and living in care can make cleaning difficult. At the same time, many people have fillings, crowns, bridges, implants or dentures that need looking after. Good mouth care is linked to eating well, comfort, speech, confidence and overall health, so it is worth keeping up.

1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

The foundation is unchanged: brush for two minutes in the morning and last thing at night with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush, spit and do not rinse. For people with exposed roots or a higher risk of decay, a dentist may advise a toothpaste with a higher fluoride strength. An electric toothbrush with a larger handle can help if grip is weak. It ranks first because it prevents decay and gum disease. It suits everyone with natural teeth. Watch out for brushing too hard, which can wear the gum and roots, for skipping the night brush when tired and for rinsing away the fluoride. If you cannot brush well, ask for help, because someone else brushing for you is better than not brushing.

2. Clean between your teeth every day

Gum disease is common in later life, and plaque between the teeth is a main cause. Cleaning between the teeth daily with interdental brushes, floss holders or a water flosser removes it. Because gaps often get bigger with age, interdental brushes in the right sizes are usually more effective than floss, and a hygienist can show you which to use. Some people find a handled brush easier than string. It ranks second because the benefit is large and the habit is often missed. Watch out for forcing an oversized brush, for bleeding that persists after a couple of weeks, for loose teeth and for gum swelling, which should be checked by a dentist.

3. Keep attending the dentist, even with dentures

A dentist checks the teeth, gums, tongue, cheeks and throat for problems, including early signs of mouth cancer, and the NHS advises that people with dentures should still have regular check-ups because dentures need adjusting and the mouth keeps changing. Appointments may be less frequent if your mouth is healthy, and more frequent if there are problems, as your dentist advises. Many practices offer longer appointments and adjustments for people with mobility or memory problems, and some dentists can visit care homes. It ranks third because it finds problems early. Watch out for stopping check-ups once you have no teeth, for ill-fitting dentures and for delays because of worry about cost. Ask the practice about NHS charges, exemptions and help.

4. Care for dentures properly

Dentures need cleaning every day. NHS advice is to take them out, clean them with a soft brush and a denture cleaner or mild soap, and not to use toothpaste, which can be abrasive. Rinse them well, and clean the gums and tongue with a soft brush. Remove them at night to give the gums a rest, and keep them in water or a denture-soaking solution as directed. Handle them over a basin of water or a towel in case you drop them. Ill-fitting dentures can rub and cause sore patches, so see the dentist rather than using adhesive to correct a poor fit. It suits everyone with dentures. Watch out for white patches, sores, a bad taste and denture stomatitis, a fungal infection under dentures.

5. Manage a dry mouth

A dry mouth is not an inevitable part of ageing, but it is more common because of medicines and some conditions. Reduced saliva raises the risk of decay, gum disease, mouth infections, sore tissues and difficulty chewing, swallowing and speaking. Sipping water, chewing sugar-free gum if suitable, using a saliva substitute from a pharmacy, avoiding alcohol-based mouthwashes, limiting caffeine and keeping the room humidified can help. A dentist or pharmacist can suggest products. It suits anyone with a persistently dry mouth. Watch out for sugary sweets used to stimulate saliva, for needing to drink water to swallow dry food and for a very dry mouth with other symptoms, which should be reviewed by a GP.

6. Review your medicines

Many commonly prescribed medicines can cause a dry mouth, including some used for blood pressure, allergies, depression, bladder problems and pain. Some can cause gum overgrowth, and some liquid medicines contain sugar. Never stop a prescribed medicine without advice, but do ask a pharmacist or GP whether there is an alternative, a different time to take it or a sugar-free form. Tell your dentist about all your medicines and any changes, since they affect treatment, especially blood thinners and medicines for bone health. It suits everyone who takes regular medicines. Watch out for forgetting over-the-counter products and supplements, and for medicines that change how you taste or swallow.

7. Watch for root decay

When gums recede, the roots of the teeth are exposed, and because the root surface is softer than enamel, decay can start more easily and progress quickly, often near the gum line. Risk is higher with a dry mouth, frequent sugary snacks and poor cleaning. Fluoride is the main defence: use a fluoride toothpaste, ask the dentist about higher-strength toothpaste or fluoride varnish, and keep sugary food and drink to mealtimes. A dentist can treat early decay before it becomes a cavity. It suits anyone with receding gums. Watch out for brown or soft patches near the gum line, sensitivity and tooth sensitivity to hot and cold, and for sticky sweets and dried fruit.

8. Eat and drink well for your teeth and your health

Good nutrition supports the mouth, and the mouth supports good nutrition. Aim for regular meals with a mix of foods, plenty of fluids and fewer sugary snacks and drinks between meals. Soft or chopped foods may be easier to eat if teeth or dentures are a problem, but check that you are still getting enough protein, calcium and vitamin D. Tea and coffee with sugar, sweet puddings and sugary supplement drinks can be risky for teeth if sipped through the day, so use them with meals. It suits everyone. Watch out for weight loss, difficulty chewing or swallowing and avoiding foods because of sore teeth, which are reasons to see a dentist or GP.

9. Check for changes in your mouth

Look in your mouth regularly in good light, and have a family member or carer help if needed. Look for ulcers, red or white patches, lumps, swellings, loose teeth, sore gums or areas that bleed. NHS advice is to see a dentist or GP if you have a mouth ulcer that has not healed within three weeks, or a persistent lump or patch, because these could be early signs of mouth cancer. Smoking and heavy alcohol use raise the risk. It suits everyone. Watch out for ignoring painless patches, for assuming denture sores will settle by themselves and for waiting. Early checks are quick and often reassuring.

10. Get help with cleaning if you need it

Arthritis, tremor, stroke, memory problems and illness can make cleaning difficult. There are adapted tools, such as larger or angled handles, electric toothbrushes, floss holders and denture brushes, and an occupational therapist or dentist can suggest options. Carers can help by brushing for the person, using a soft brush, standing or sitting at the right angle and being gentle. For people in care homes, the NHS advises that residents' mouth care needs should be assessed and supported. It suits anyone who finds cleaning hard. Watch out for resistance and distress in people with dementia, and ask a dentist or community dental service for advice. Never leave cleaning undone.

For carers and families

If you help someone with their mouth care, explain what you are doing, let them hold the brush where possible and stay calm and patient. Use a small, soft brush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Check the mouth for sores and changes, and clean dentures over a basin. Keep their dentist's details and a list of medicines. Make dental appointments part of their routine, and ask the practice about adaptations. If you are worried about someone's mouth, or they have pain, swelling or difficulty eating, speak to a dentist or GP. Looking after someone's mouth is a real act of care.

Crowns, bridges and implants

Many older adults have crowns, bridges or implants, and they need regular care. Clean around them as you would natural teeth, paying particular attention to the gum line, and use interdental brushes or a water flosser to reach underneath bridges, because plaque there can lead to gum disease. Implants can develop inflammation around them if not cleaned, so regular dental and hygienist visits are important. Ask your dentist how long your restorations are expected to last and what signs to look out for, such as looseness, soreness or bleeding. Tell the dentist if something feels different.

Costs, access and help

NHS dental charges and exemptions vary between the UK nations, and some people qualify for help, for example on certain benefits or with low incomes through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Ask the practice about charges before treatment. If it is hard to travel to a surgery because of illness or disability, ask whether domiciliary visits or a community dental service are available, and care homes can ask local services for support. If you cannot find an NHS dentist, contact NHS 111 or your local integrated care board. Problems left untreated often cost more, and being open about cost helps the dentist plan.

Mouth care during illness or a hospital stay

When someone is unwell, mouth care often slips, yet it matters more because a dry or dirty mouth can cause discomfort, infection and difficulty eating. Keep brushing teeth or cleaning dentures at least twice a day if possible, with help if needed, keep lips moisturised and offer sips of water often. In hospital or care, ask staff about mouth care and bring the person's own brush, toothpaste and denture pot, labelled with their name. Report pain, sores, a very dry mouth or difficulty swallowing to a nurse or doctor. Keep dentures safe, and do not leave them wrapped in tissue.

The mouth and general health

Mouth health is linked with general health. Gum disease has been associated with diabetes, heart disease and other conditions, although the exact relationships are still being studied, and poor oral health can make eating and swallowing difficult and affect nutrition and confidence. Looking after the mouth is a practical way to support overall health, and it can be done at any age. Tell your dentist about your health conditions and medicines, and tell your GP about mouth problems. Do not think it is too late to improve your mouth care, because benefits begin quickly with better cleaning.

Questions to ask your dentist or hygienist

Useful questions include whether your gums are healthy, whether you have any signs of root decay, which toothpaste and fluoride strength suits you, which interdental brush sizes to use, whether a dry mouth is affecting your teeth, how to look after crowns, bridges, implants or dentures, whether any medicine could be involved, how often to come back and whether any adaptations would make appointments easier. Take a list of your medicines and bring a family member or carer if it helps. Ask for key advice in writing, and for a note of the products recommended, so that you can show it to a pharmacist.

Everyday habits that help

Small habits add up. Keep a toothbrush and toothpaste where you will see them, tie brushing to a regular activity such as making a morning cup of tea, and use a timer or an electric brush with a built-in timer. Drink water through the day, avoid smoking, keep alcohol moderate and limit sugary snacks between meals. Replace brushes about every three months and clean denture brushes too. Keep a mirror and good light at the sink. Ask a friend or family member to check in. If you notice any change, such as pain, bleeding or a sore, do not wait for your next check-up.

Key takeaways

For older adults, the key steps are brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, caring for dentures daily, managing dry mouth, reviewing medicines, watching for root decay and mouth changes and keeping up dental check-ups, even with dentures. Get help with cleaning if it becomes hard. This is general information, not personal medical advice, so ask your dentist or hygienist what suits your mouth.

Useful related pages

This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist.