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

