Why seniors need better dental care
As Dental Health Week approaches, National Seniors is renewing calls for a scheme to fix older Australians’ teeth
Oral health tips
Brushing natural teeth twice a day, using dental floss and replacing your toothbrush when it becomes worn or after three months.
For people with dentures, cleaning your gums and tongue with a toothbrush and toothpaste is recommended, as is using a denture brush and liquid soap to clean your dentures.
Cleaning your dentures with toothpaste is not recommended because it can be too abrasive and cause damage to your dentures.
Sip water during the day to keep your mouth moist.
Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.
Drink tap water containing fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
Australians do not have good oral health, and it seems that cost is a major reason.
It is estimated that one-third of adults have untreated tooth decay, which can lead to hospitalisation.
As well as visits to dental professionals, there were close to 78,800 hospitalisations in 2021–22 for dental conditions that might have been prevented with earlier treatment.
National Seniors Australia has called on the Federal Government to establish a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme to provide $500 per year to older people in need so they can go to the dentist.
The scheme would be administered in a similar fashion to the existing Child Dental Benefit Scheme and could be provided as part of a Pensioner Concession Card Plus.
The need for a strong government response to Australians’ poor dental health was identified in a report from a Senate Select Committee in November 2023.
The report A system in decay: a review into dental services in Australia, included recommendations for a Seniors Dental Benefit Scheme and that dental cover be included under Medicare or a similar scheme.
The committee also recommended that the oral health care recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety be implemented.
These include an urgent review into best-practice oral care, that residential aged care providers employ oral health practitioners, and immediate funding for education and training to improve the quality of care, including oral health.
People living in rural and remote Australia experience higher rates of oral diseases, due to a lack of dental practitioners. They also face higher costs in accessing care or rely on hospitals for treatment.
During Dental Health Week, which starts on August 5, the Australian Dental Association will highlight the fact that nearly 60% of older women have oral health concerns caused by medication or hormonal activity.
Menopausal and post-menopausal women are at greater risk, than the general population, of issues such as dry mouth, oral discomfort and burning, gum disease, osteoporosis, and associated complications.
Dry mouth can make it difficult to eat dry foods such as crackers due to a lack of saliva which is required for swallowing. This symptom can be unpleasant and can also come with additional oral health concerns such as thrush and tooth decay.
Gum disease varies in severity, from mild gingivitis to the most severe form, periodontitis.
Symptoms include bad breath, loose teeth, and gums that bleed while being brushed. Milder forms can generally be managed by brushing and flossing regularly in addition to visiting your dentist.
Osteoporosis is a chronic disease related to reduced bone density which causes brittle or porous bones. Medications used to treat osteoporosis can increase the risk of pain in affected areas, gum swelling, and pus.
About 20% of women aged 50 and over have osteoporosis, compared to just 5% of men the same age.
Older people with oral disease can become socially isolated, affecting their physical and mental health. Researchers found that 71% of women aged 75 or older with their own teeth engaged in social activities, compared to 54% without teeth.
The Dental Association says that, with almost 20% of Australians over the age of 75 reporting feeling lonely, improving oral health could be one way to tackle this epidemic.
Poor oral health is linked to other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases. Older people are more likely to have poor oral health, especially those on low incomes and those living in aged care homes.
Cost is the major barrier to regularly going to the dentist as many pensioners cannot afford private health insurance and public dental services can have long wait times.
While private dentists can provide appropriate care regarding dental care, not every older Australian can afford the services.
The Australian Dental Association provides information here about public dental services across the country.
Related reading: AIHW, Aged Care Guide, NSA
