Besides the ordinary effects of aging on the teeth and gums, neglecting oral health impacts the rest of the body by influencing the onset, strength, and persistence of many degenerative diseases.
These problems can be addressed through the use of products that are specifically tailored to seniors’ needs.
Oral hygiene products for seniors
It’s common for older adults to have bridges, implants, dentures, and teeth sensitivity. The following ADA-approved, dentist-recommended products provide effective, gentle, and safe ways to clean the mouth.
Toothbrush
Most dentists recommend electric toothbrushes for elderly patients because they don’t require strenuous arm and hand movements.
- Sonicare 3 Series Gum Health
Three intensity settings provide seniors the level necessary for comfort, while removing six times the plaque along the gum line with soft bristles that clean without irritation.
- Rotadent ProCare Professional Rotary Toothbrush
This brush removes up to 92% of plaque within the first minute of brushing and reduces surface stains.
- Oral-B Gum & Sensitive Electric Toothbrush
Ultrathin bristles stimulate the gums, and a pressure sensor lights up when you’re brushing too hard. This model has a built-in timer for a complete tooth-cleaning session and Bluetooth connectivity to track use.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste for the elderly should provide fluoride and other ingredients that help bad breath or tooth sensitivity, such as the treatment these products offer:
- Sensodyne Pronamel
The formula includes calcium and other minerals that help rebuild weak enamel and protect against acid erosion. The toothpaste freshens breath while preventing cavities and sensitivity.
- Crest Pro-Health Whitening Toothpaste
The formula’s gentle whitening ingredient removes surface stains common on older teeth. The toothpaste removes tartar and plaque, lessens tooth sensitivity, protects against cavities, and improves gum health.
- Colgate Sensitive
The ingredients soothe nerves in the teeth and gums, lessening pain from hot or cold foods. Dentists recommend continual use to maintain effectiveness.
Mouth rinse
These dentist-approved mouth rinses help alleviate dry mouth symptoms and provide another layer of protection against tooth decay, gingivitis, and bad breath.
- Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse
This product’s ingredients keep the mouth lubricated and lessen irritation up to four hours after use. The formula is alcohol-free, balances mouth pH, and has a fresh, minty flavor.
- CloSYS Non-Irritating Rinse
The active ingredient in this alcohol-free rinse is chlorine dioxide, which reduces sulfur-producing bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath.
Floss
Flossing becomes more difficult for seniors with bridges or hand and finger mobility issues. These floss products make cleaning between teeth much easier.
- DenTek Triple Clean Floss Picks
The fluoride-infused floss pick is ideal for getting between teeth using only one hand. The shape makes it easy to floss even hard-to-reach molars and includes a handy tongue scraper.
- Oral-B Superfloss
This product features a normal floss section to slip between teeth, a stiff end to thread through or under tight areas, and a spongy section to stimulate gums and remove food build-up that fits through large tooth gaps.
- HydroFloss Oral Irrigator
If manual flossing is too difficult, this irrigator shoots a thin stream of water to dislodge food particles. The oral irrigator ionizes the water, which helps loosen tartar accumulation as it cleans.
Gum cleaner and stimulator
These products can help in developing healthy, firm gums, thereby reducing tooth loss and problems with oral disease:
- Butler G-U-M Gum Stimulator
The long handle and rubber tip glide across gum surfaces to increase blood circulation. The soft, pointy tip massages gum edges and can free stuck-on food.
- Toothette Mouth Swabs
These single-use oral swabs allow seniors with sensitive gums to freshen up their mouth after meals by removing build-up on the teeth while stimulating the gums with soft foam ridges.
Maintaining your oral care routine
A bright and healthy smile starts with regular checkups and the best dental hygiene products that dentists can recommend.
The Oral Health Foundation states that caring for elderly teeth requires a shift in oral hygiene products and a focus on preventing periodontal diseases. Thankfully, there are plenty of dentist-approved products seniors can use at home to maintain a glowing and healthy smile between dental visits.
As a Life Plan Community, The Atrium at Navesink Harbor makes it easy to live life on your terms, with a lifestyle that includes a maintenance-free residence, dining, wellness programs, recreational, social and cultural activities, and more. Contact us to schedule a visit of our senior living community in Red Bank, NJ today.
