28 | MARCH 21 • 2024
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aintaining your
health and vitality
as you age includes
taking care of your mouth.
Neglecting dental health can
make you susceptible to gum
disease, lead to poor nutrition,
put you at risk for infections
and even impact your emo-
tional well-being.
Yet, many older adults aren’t
receiving proper oral care.
Research from the Kaiser
Family Foundation shows that
more than one in five Medicare
beneficiaries have not visited a
dentist in five years, primarily
because of cost.
Many people lose their den-
tal coverage when they retire.
Fortunately, affordable options
are available, according to Dr.
J.B. Sobel, chief medical offi-
cer with Cigna Healthcare’s
Medicare business.
“While Original Medicare
doesn’t cover routine dental
care, Medicare Advantage
(MA) plans include every-
thing in Original Medicare
and more,” Sobel said. “Many
MA plans include some den-
tal coverage, often at no extra
cost. Some plans will allow you
to see any provider of your
choosing, while others require
you to use providers within
a certain network. Some MA
plans even provide no-cost
transportation to the dentist.”
Once you have access to
dental care, there are compel-
ling reasons to take advantage
of it, according to Dr. Cary
Sun, chief dental officer with
Cigna Dental and Vision,
including the following:
Preventing gum disease
and other oral health issues.
Forgoing recommended
routine teeth cleanings can
increase the risk for cavities,
gum disease, infection and
swelling of the gums (gingi-
vitis). This can escalate into
problems like tooth loss and
the need for root canals or
crowns, costing thousands of
dollars. If you have a chronic
medical condition like diabe-
tes, gum disease can also put
you at greater risk of infec-
tion, as bacteria can enter the
bloodstream through poor oral
hygiene. Therefore, it’s import-
ant to get regular cleanings
with your dentist, to brush
your teeth twice daily with
a fluoride toothpaste, and to
floss daily to remove plaque
from between teeth. An elec-
tric toothbrush or water flosser
may make brushing and floss-
ing easier.
Addressing dry mouth.
Many older adults take mul-
tiple medications. This can
result in a condition called
“dry mouth,” which can make
it hard to chew, swallow or
even talk. Dry mouth can also
raise the risk of tooth decay
and oral infections. A dentist
can help you address this with
saliva substitutes or lifestyle
changes, such as sipping water
and reducing or avoiding
tobacco, caffeine and alcohol.
Facilitating good nutrition.
Proper nutrition is important
for everyone, but particularly
for older adults. A healthy
mouth makes it easier for you
to eat well and enjoy food,
while gum disease or ill-fitting
dentures can make it hard to
chew. If you’re having difficul-
ty eating for any reason, your
dentist may be able to help
you.
Screening for certain can-
cers. Cancers of the mouth are
more common in older adults.
As with all cancers, early
detection is critical to effec-
tive treatment. An annual oral
cancer examination can help
detect early signs.
Maintaining your confi-
dence. Having healthy teeth
boosts confidence and fosters
better communication. You
may be more likely to go out,
stay active, and meet and
interact with new people when
you’re proud of your smile.
To find MA plans offered in
your area, visit Medicare.gov.
“The case for maintaining
your dental health is clear
and convincing,” Dr. Sun
said. “Once you’re covered by
Medicare, secure dental insur-
ance coverage and see your
dentist as recommended to
maintain your overall health.
Through regular preventive
care, you may even be able to
avoid more costly and serious
procedures later. It’s never too
late to get started on a path
toward better oral hygiene.”
(C) SEVENTYFOUR / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Affordable Dental
Coverage Gives Older
Adults Reason to Smile
(STATEPOINT)
DENTAL GUIDE