Gum disease is common among the elderly. It’s estimated that almost 70% of people over the age of 65 have some type of gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums caused by bacteria in plaque and tartar that have built up over the years on the teeth. If caught early, it can be easy to treat, but the longer it is left untreated, the more damage it can do – not only to the gums and teeth – but to your senior’s overall health. Home care services can help.
Five Reasons Seniors Are More Likely to Develop Gum Disease
Anyone can have gum disease, but seniors are more likely to have it due to several reasons:
- Medication use. Some common medications that seniors use can increase their risk of developing gum disease. For example, any medications for heart disease cause dry mouth, making it easier for bacteria to develop in the mouth.
- Cognitive or physical challenges. If your elderly loved one has memory problems, they may not remember if they brushed or flossed, and thus the routine of keeping teeth and gums clean is forgotten, or done too irregularly to help. Other seniors struggle with physical impairments such as arthritis or Parkinson’s disease, which can make holding a toothbrush and maneuvering it properly more difficult.
- Hormonal changes. If your elderly loved one is female, having gone through menopause may have put them at greater risk for gum health issues.
- Other health issues. If your loved one has a chronic health condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or kidney issues, their immune system may be weakened and unable to fight off any bacteria in the mouth, increasing the risk for gum disease.
- Poor lifestyle choices. Bad habits like smoking or drinking can add to the risk of gum disease and other oral health issues, and not eating a healthy diet can rob the body of important nutrients it needs to fend off bacteria and germs that may enter the mouth.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
The best way to stay on top of your elderly loved one’s oral health is to make sure they are attending their regularly scheduled dentist visits. Home care providers can help your loved one make their appointments if you are unavailable. If your loved one doesn’t, you might begin to notice changes in their gums and teeth that can indicate that their gums are not healthy.
Some changes you might see, or they might talk about, include:
- Their teeth are getting ‘longer.’ It’s not that the teeth are growing, but that the gums are receding.
- Their gums seem to be puffy or swollen.
- They have bad breath more often.
- There are new gaps between the teeth, especially near the gums. Look for little dark triangles that appear between teeth.
- Their gums are very dark red or purple.
- They express pain when chewing or having pain on one side of their face.
Getting Home Care Help with Dental Care
Your loved one may simply need someone to help them with their dental care as part of their home care regimen. Home care providers can help your loved one brush their teeth, floss, and even care for any dentures or bridges they might have. Home care can be especially helpful for those with physical or cognitive limitations that prevent proper care of their teeth. So long as your loved one still has their teeth, it’s never too late to take steps to help protect what teeth they still have.
If you or an aging loved one needs Home Care in Elk Grove, CA, contact A Better Living Home Care today (916) 514-7006
Sources:
- Six Ways for Family Caregivers to Improve Mental Health During Trying Times - April 9, 2026
- Bringing Peace of Mind for Seniors and Their Families - April 2, 2026
- Improving Kitchen Safety for Seniors - March 26, 2026
