April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, an annual observation that underscores the fact that early detection of oral cancer can decrease morbidity and increase long-term survival. The observance also emphasizes the importance of making oral cancer screenings part of the dental exam routine. 

Oral cancer is cancer that affects your mouth. It can develop on any tissue, including your gums, tongue, or lips. Early detection and treatment significantly improve outcomes. Dental care is about more than cosmetics. Dental health affects overall health. As a result, it’s important for seniors to take care of their oral health.

Oftentimes seniors think that dental care is no longer necessary, especially if they are using dentures. However, dental health is important to manage throughout the aging process.

Taking care of dental health while aging is essential. Help seniors manage their oral care by understanding the risks, complications, and needs they face.

Common Dental Challenges Aging Adults Face

While people of all ages are at risk of dental issues like cavities, there are several conditions that seniors are more susceptible to.Common dental challenges people face while aging includes:

Dry Mouth

A condition in which the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, dry mouth affects the acid levels in the mouth. This can affect swallowing, digestion, and the teeth and gums negatively. Seniors are especially prone to this condition, especially if their medications list dry mouth as a possible side effect.

Root and Coronal Caries

The decay of the teeth, basic dental caries are often just called cavities. The decay can affect the roots of the tooth and the jawbone as well. Caries can be caused by poor oral hygiene, a poor diet, dry mouth, and more.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a gum infection and can cause inflammation and pain. It is often caused by poor oral hygiene or a buildup of bacteria in the mouth.

Best Tips for Managing Senior Oral Care

Most dental health problems seniors face are preventable with the right care. Unfortunately, there are many reasons that seniors do not maintain their oral health effectively. Common causes of poor oral hygiene among seniors include:

• Decreased mobility
• Impaired memory
• Side effects of medication
• Medical conditions that affect oral health



The best way to protect seniors’ dental health is to help them manage their oral care. Caregivers can help in various ways. Caregivers might:

• Help with brushing or flossing
• Set reminders to brush or floss
• Encourage seniors to use mouthwash
• Schedule regular dental cleanings
• Offer transportation to the dentist
• Urge seniors to talk to their doctor if medications are causing dry mouth

There’s no official screening test for oral cancer. However, a dentist typically looks and feels for signs of oral cancer during a routine dental checkup. The outlook for people with oral cancer is best when it’s found and treated early. As such, it’s important to not only get regular dental checkups but also to be aware of any unusual changes in your mouth. If you notice something concerning, see a doctor or dentist.

Simple strategies like these can help seniors avoid dental health problems. This can enable seniors to keep their natural teeth longer and to enjoy regular diets instead of having to switch to soft food due to tooth decay.