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Dental Health in Older Adults: Why It Matters

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As we age, taking care of our teeth and gums becomes more important than ever. Good oral health isn’t just about having a nice smile—it plays a key role in overall health, comfort, nutrition, and confidence.

Many older adults put off dental visits due to fear, cost concerns, or apathy. Fortunately, many common dental issues can be treated or managed, and dental visits today are more comfortable than most people expect…especially at Kavod, where residents can see a dentist right here on campus.

Common Dental Issues

Older adults may experience:

  • Gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if untreated
  • Cavities and tooth decay, especially around older fillings or exposed roots
  • Dry mouth, often caused by medications
  • Missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures, which affect eating and speech
  • Oral infections or sores, a result of a variety of factors, some age-related
  • Oral cancer, a risk that increases with age, making regular checkups especially important


Why Taking Care of Dental Issues Is So Important

Ignoring dental problems can lead to more serious health concerns over time. Poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, pneumonia, and malnutrition. Dental pain or missing teeth can make it difficult to eat healthy foods, which affects overall strength and energy.

Regular dental care helps:

  • Prevent pain and infection
  • Maintain the ability to eat and speak comfortably
  • Protect overall health
  • Save money by addressing small problems before they become major ones
  • Improve quality of life and confidence

Dental problems are not an inevitable part of aging. With proper care and regular checkups, many older adults keep their natural teeth for life.

Accessing Dental Care

Residents at Kavod Senior Life can get teeth cleanings and other services right on campus through the CU School of Dental Medicine! Having a dental clinic in the community makes it very easy to see a dentist and only involves an elevator ride up to the Health and Wellness Center (14th floor).  Individuals in Assisted Living and Senior Living both can make appointments.

If you or a loved would one benefit from having dental and other supportive services on hand, contact us for more information or a tour!  

In general, caring for our teeth is an important part of caring for overall health—at every age.

*created with the assistance of Chat GPT