Short answer
As you get older, the biggest dental risks shift to dry mouth, cavities on exposed roots, gum disease, worn or failing dental work, and oral cancer. Regular exams and cleanings, usually every 3 to 6 months, catch these early. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care, but many Medicare Advantage plans do, and we accept those with dental benefits.
How do your teeth and gums change with age?
Teeth do not wear out on a schedule, and many people keep their natural teeth for life. But decades of chewing, older fillings, new medicines and health conditions all add up. The result is a mouth that needs slightly different care at 70 than it did at 40.
| Change | Why it happens | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Dry mouth | Side effect of many common medicines | Sipping water, sugar-free gum, fluoride, saliva substitutes |
| Root cavities | Gums recede and expose softer root surface | Fluoride toothpaste, in-office fluoride, regular checkups |
| Gum disease | Plaque builds up over years, often without pain | Cleanings, deep cleaning if needed, good home care |
| Worn or cracked teeth | Years of chewing and grinding | Crowns, bonding, night guards |
| Failing old dental work | Fillings and crowns have a lifespan | Checking edges at each exam and replacing as needed |
| Oral cancer risk | Risk rises with age, tobacco and alcohol | A quick screening at each exam |
Why is dry mouth such a problem for seniors?
Saliva rinses away food, neutralizes acid and helps repair early damage to enamel. Many common medicines, including some for blood pressure, depression, allergies and bladder control, reduce saliva. Less saliva means more cavities, more gum irritation and dentures that rub or slip.
Tell us about every medicine you take. We may suggest sipping water through the day, sugar-free gum or lozenges, an over-the-counter saliva substitute, and fluoride treatment to protect your teeth. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own; talk to your doctor about other options.
How serious is gum disease in older adults?
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It usually does not hurt until it is advanced, so many people do not know they have it. Signs include bleeding when you brush, puffy or receding gums, bad breath that does not go away, and teeth that feel loose or have shifted.
Early gum disease can be treated with scaling and root planing, a deeper cleaning below the gumline, followed by more frequent maintenance visits. Gum health is also linked with diabetes control, so keeping your gums healthy is part of caring for your overall health.
What are your options for missing or damaged teeth?
Replacing missing teeth makes it easier to chew a healthy range of foods, which matters for nutrition as you age. Here are the options we provide, with our published self-pay prices where we have them:
- Crowns cover a cracked or heavily filled tooth, starting at $1,199.
- Bridges replace one or more teeth using the teeth on either side, starting at $3,499 for a 3-unit bridge.
- Full dentures replace all teeth in an arch, starting at $1,399 per arch. Partial dentures fill gaps between your own teeth, starting at $1,399. See partial and full dentures.
- Single dental implants replace one tooth with a root-form post and crown. Cost depends on bone and the tooth involved, so we give a written estimate first. See dental implants.
Full price details are on our dental prices page. Your general health, bone level and budget all shape which option is best for you.
Why do seniors need oral cancer checks?
The risk of mouth and throat cancer increases with age and is higher in people who use tobacco or drink alcohol. Early changes are often painless. At each exam we look at and feel your lips, tongue, cheeks, gums and neck. If you notice a sore, a white or red patch, or a lump that has not healed in two weeks, do not wait for your next visit. Read about our oral cancer screening.
How do health conditions affect dental care?
Diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, blood thinners and bone medicines can all affect dental treatment. Bring an up-to-date medicine list to every visit. We may plan shorter visits, coordinate with your doctor before certain procedures, or suggest a softer or larger-handled toothbrush if arthritis makes brushing hard. Caregivers are welcome to come along and help with questions.
How do seniors pay for dental care?
- Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care such as cleanings, fillings or dentures. Our guide to Medicaid, Medicare and dental coverage explains what each plan covers.
- Medicare Advantage plans often include dental benefits. We accept Medicare Advantage plans with dental coverage and check your benefits before your visit.
- PPO dental plans, including retiree plans, are accepted in most cases. In-network carriers include Principal, Sun Life and Best Life.
- Self-pay patients can use our published prices and spread costs with Cherry, Sunbit or CareCredit. HSA funds can be used for dental treatment.
Learn more on our senior dentistry page. We serve many older adults in Richmond and Fort Bend County, and our team speaks English, Spanish, Gujarati and Hindi. Hablamos español: información en español.
When to call us
Call us if your gums bleed or teeth feel loose, if your dentures rub, slip or cause sores, if a tooth breaks or hurts, if your mouth feels dry most of the day, or if you have a mouth sore that has not healed in two weeks. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Frequently asked questions
Most older adults do well with a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. People with gum disease, dry mouth or many crowns and fillings may need visits every 3 to 4 months.
Yes. A yearly visit lets us check the fit of your dentures and look at your gums and tongue for sores or signs of oral cancer. Dentures can loosen as the jaw changes over time.
Usually not. Age alone is not a reason to lose teeth. Treating gum disease, fixing cavities early and using extra fluoride can keep many natural teeth working for years.
Original Medicare does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dentures as a benefit. We can check your plan, and for self-pay patients our full dentures start at $1,399 per arch.
Sources
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth is different — the right treatment for you depends on an exam.