Care for older adults.

Medicines and a dry mouth

Hundreds of common medicines list dry mouth as a side effect, including some for blood pressure, depression, allergies, pain, bladder control and sleep, and taking several at once makes it more likely. Radiotherapy to the head and neck, diabetes and some autoimmune conditions can also reduce saliva.

Saliva rinses away food, neutralises acid and helps protect enamel, so a dry mouth can lead to faster decay, sore gums, trouble swallowing and dentures that rub or won’t stay put. Things that may help:

• Sip water often through the day, and keep a glass by the bed
• Chew sugar-free gum to encourage saliva
• Ask us or your pharmacist about saliva substitutes and dry mouth gels
• Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash
• Cut back on alcohol, caffeine and smoking, which can dry the mouth further
• Avoid sucking sugary lollies for relief, as they feed decay
• Keep taking prescribed medicines, and raise side effects with your GP

Root decay and older fillings

As gums recede with age or after gum disease, the roots of teeth can become exposed. Roots are covered by a softer layer than enamel, so decay can start there more easily and spread quickly, often along the gumline or under the edges of old fillings and crowns.

If your risk is higher, your dentist may suggest a high-fluoride toothpaste for home, fluoride varnish at your visits, or more frequent check‑ups. Teeth that have carried large fillings for decades can also develop cracks, so we look for fine fractures and talk about options, such as an onlay or crown, if a tooth looks at risk of breaking.

Gums, general health and keeping your own teeth

More Australians now keep their natural teeth well into later life, which is good news but means more teeth to look after. Gum disease becomes more common with age and is linked with diabetes, and arthritis or a tremor can make thorough brushing harder.

Small changes can help: an electric toothbrush with a chunky handle, interdental brushes in place of floss, or a foam grip to build up a standard brush. If your gums bleed, recede or teeth feel loose, our gum disease care page explains how it’s treated.

Your medical history matters too. Blood thinners, osteoporosis medicines such as bisphosphonates or denosumab, heart conditions and diabetes can all affect how treatment is planned, so please bring an up‑to‑date list of medicines to each visit.

If you’ve lost teeth

Gaps can make chewing harder, which may narrow the foods you enjoy and affect nutrition, and nearby teeth can tip or drift over time. Options include a partial denture, a bridge or a titanium dental implant, and for people with no teeth, a full denture that can sometimes be held steady by implants.

The right choice depends on your general health, the bone and gums, how many teeth remain and your budget. Some people decide to leave a gap at the back if chewing is comfortable, and that can be a reasonable choice. Your dentist will talk through the trade-offs of each.

Dentures still need dental visits

Even with a full set of dentures, regular checks are worthwhile. The gums and bone underneath slowly change shape, so dentures that once fitted well can loosen and start to rub. We also look over your gums, tongue, cheeks and palate for sore spots, thrush or any changes that need a closer look. Mouth cancer becomes more common with age, so see us if you notice an ulcer, lump or red or white patch that hasn’t healed within about two weeks.

Taking dentures out overnight gives your gums a rest. If a family member lives in residential care, it’s worth having their dentures labelled, as they can go missing in shared settings, and checking that daily cleaning is part of the care plan.

Caring for someone with dementia or limited mobility

If you help a partner or parent with their teeth, standing or sitting behind them, using a soft or electric brush and keeping to the same time each day may make it easier. Short sessions are fine if a full clean isn’t possible. Mouth care often slips when other health needs take over, and problems can build quietly.

People living with dementia may not be able to say that their mouth hurts. Refusing food, pulling at the face, no longer wanting to wear dentures or a change in behaviour can sometimes be signs of dental pain. Planning dental care is often easier in the earlier stages, while the person can take part in decisions, so a check soon after diagnosis is worth considering.

Carers are welcome to come into the appointment. If you use a wheelchair or walking frame, or find steps difficult, please call before your visit so we can talk through access and how we can help.

Longer appointments and help with costs

If you’d like more time, need to rest between steps, or find a certain time of day easier, ask for a longer appointment when you book. We’re happy to go at your pace and to repeat or jot down anything we’ve discussed.

We welcome Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card and White Card holders. What’s covered depends on your card and accepted conditions, and some items need DVA approval first; our health funds page has more detail. For those with private cover, dentures are usually claimed under major dental, while check‑ups and cleans usually fall under general dental.