Seniors and Oral Health

Today’s dentistry and good oral health habits are helping people keep their teeth for a lifetime. As we age, our health care needs change. The importance of keeping teeth and gum tissues clean and healthy does not diminish over time. In fact, paying attention to oral health is critical to being able to maintain optimal overall health.

Two senior women smiling The resources listed below may be helpful regardless of whether you are an older patient yourself or have the responsibility to care for someone else who is elderly or who has special needs.

Growing Old with a Smile Video Series

If you are an administrator or a caregiver in a long-term care facility or nursing home, you may find the “Growing Old with a Smile: Oral Health for Older Adults in Long-Term Care,” videos very helpful in providing oral health care to your residents. A workbook also accompanies the videos.

After viewing this video, you’ll be able to List at least three reasons why good oral health care is important, describe the appropriate tools to use to provide good oral hygiene, and describe the routine for providing oral care for residents with natural teeth or with dentures. This is worth one fundamental CE credit.