Senior Oral Health: Older Americans Regret Not Caring for Their Teeth More in Youth

Americans aged 50 and older realize the importance of oral health but aren't necessarily taking the steps to prioritize it as they should, according to Delta Dental's Senior Oral Health Report: Older Americans' Oral Care Regrets, Barriers and Impact.

In the survey, 80% of older Americans don't go to the dentist as often as recommended today despite ranking “not brushing and flossing more” as their third biggest regret regarding their physical health. The study also reveals that two in five (40%) smile less compared to when they were younger due to deteriorating oral health or the appearance of their teeth.

Two in three (66%) have never discussed their dental visits or oral health with their primary care provider and more than half (55%) say they never discussed their general health or current medications with their dentist. These are critical gaps as physical, mental and oral health treatment become more integrated to reflect the connections among body, mind and mouth.

Better maintained preventative oral care is instrumental in mitigating the risk for potentially more invasive and costly treatments down the road, said Delta Dental. The survey also found that:

• Three in five (61%) did not know that gum swelling can be linked to diabetes, heart disease, and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease;
• 83% say they did not know that gingivitis is contagious and can be passed through kissing; and
• Two in five (40%) don't know bacteria from your mouth can spread to other parts of your body.

BIPOC Communities Face Disproportionate Barriers

As one of the biggest barriers, access to care is a particular concern. Older Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) disproportionately face difficulties to physically accessing their dental care. One in three (30%) older BIPOC Americans rely on other modes of transportation besides driving themselves to get to the dentist. Commute times for older BIPOC Americans are longer than for older white Americans—75% of older white Americans can get to their dentist in 30 minutes or less compared to 65% of older BIPOC Americans.

Despite these physical barriers to access for BIPOC Americans aged 50 and older, they are much more likely to connect their oral health to their physical health. Fifty percent of older BIPOC Americans talk to their dentist about their physical health compared to just 37% of older white Americans.

This may suggest that cultural differences influence how individuals value these connections, or it could reveal a more problematic issue, speculates Dr. Karen Horace, Dental policy manager at Delta Dental:

“Statistically, many Black patients have less access to health professionals than white patients and those in other less-marginalized communities. So, when they see their physician or dentist, it is highly probable many are going to use that opportunity to bring all of their health issues with them,” she said.