Aging & Dental Health.

Take care of your teeth, and they'll stay with you forever. We've all heard this saying, but as we celebrate more and more birthdays, we may feel like our teeth are failing to live up to the promise.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 13.5 percent of all Americans 65 and older have no natural teeth at all. Many older Americans keep their teeth, but their smiles are riddled with cavities and plaque.

It doesn't have to be this way.

In this guide, we'll discuss:

• Dental appointments. Seniors should have regular well-care visits, and some oral health symptoms should prompt you to make an urgent appointment.

• Paying for care. Medicare and Medicaid probably won't cover your dental bills, but you have other options for coverage.

• Dental emergencies. When unexpected issues crop up, quick at-home care can save your teeth.

• Common dental health issues. Anyone can struggle with oral care, but some problems tend to appear in seniors more than younger people.

• Daily routines. Toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash remain critical oral health tools. But you'll need to adjust your plans if you have some medical conditions.

• Orthodontics. Older adults can wear braces or teeth aligners for a straighter smile, and plenty of them do just that.

How many dental appointments do you need?

A dentist is a critical part of your medical team, and you should work together to protect your smile.

There's no set rule regarding appointment frequency, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Some people should go twice per year, others visit more frequently, and still others need only yearly checkups. Ask your dentist to set a schedule that works for you and your mouth.

Signs Your Need an Appointment

Symptoms of illness should also prompt a dental visit, DHHS says. Schedule an appointment if these issues persist for more than two weeks:

What to Expect During Your Regular Appointment

During a routine appointment, your doctor will check the health of your teeth visually and with x-rays. Your doctor will also discuss your overall health, as some medical conditions take a toll on your teeth.

To move the conversation along, says the American Dental Association, bring paperwork, including:

• A List of Current Medications: Disclose the names and doses of all the drugs you're taking, including over-the-counter varieties.

• Updated Diagnoses: If your health has changed since your last visit, tell your dentist about your new conditions.

• Doctor Contact Information: Your dentist and doctor may need to trade notes about your health and care. Facilitate those conversations with contact data.

Either before or after you chat with your dentist, a dental hygienist will use sharp or motorized tools to scrape away plaque and polish your teeth.

Dental professionals are careful, and they work hard to avoid poking or scraping your gums. But oral tissues are sensitive, and sometimes, even gentle cleanings cause minor injuries. Your mouth is also filled with bacteria just waiting to crawl into a wound and grow.

The American Dental Association says some people should take antibiotics before receiving dental care. If you have heart disease, this could apply to you. Talk with your dentist when you schedule your appointment about this option.

Paying for care: what options are available?

Oral care can be expensive, and chances are, you'll need to plan ahead to pay your bills. Most of the solutions seniors lean on to cover medical expenses just won't work in a dentist's office.

Seniors often can't use these resources to pay for dental care:

• Medicare: Medicare doesn't cover most dental procedures, including cleanings. Your coverage also doesn't extend to dental devices, like dentures.

• Medicaid: While children get robust coverage for dental health through Medicaid, adults don't. Less than half of all states extend comprehensive dental coverage to adults. Online resources help you understand your state's policies, so you can plan ahead.

AARP suggests that seniors with no Medicare/Medicaid assistance can advocate for lower bills and save money. You could:

• Negotiate. Ask for an estimate before the work is done, and offer to pay the total at once, with no payment plan. Some facilities extend a discount for this practice.

• Shop around. Visit a dental school near you, or search for low-cost or nonprofit dental organizations in your area.

• Look for deals. Scan sites like Groupon for new-patient discount coupons. Or find a provider you like and ask about a new-patient discount.

You could also shop for dental insurance. Companies offer so-called "individual" plans for seniors who already have medical insurance but need a little help with unexpected dental bills. These policies can be surprisingly affordable.

A plan for seniors from Delta Dental, for example, costs $259 per year. Most preventive and diagnostic care is covered fully under this plan.

What qualifies as a dental emergency?

When dental issues crop up between appointments, quick self-care can mean the difference between losing a tooth and protecting it for another day.

The American Dental Association recommends these first aid steps for common dental emergencies:

• Knocked-out tooth: Try to wedge it back in the socket, and if that won't work, pop it between your teeth and gums.

• Cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water, and use cold compresses to keep the swelling down.

• Lip or tongue bites: Rinse with water, and use a cold compress to keep the swelling down.

• Foreign objects: Use floss to attempt removal.

After you've tackled at-home care, call your dentist's office for advice or an emergency appointment.

Common dental health issues for seniors.

Your body isn't the same as it was when you were 18. Neither is your mouth. Changes in your metabolism, physical health, and habits can take their toll on your teeth.

Common dental health issues in seniors include:

Many of those medications spark dry mouth problems.

Saliva keeps gums lubricated, so they stay in place to protect tooth roots. Saliva can also inhibit bacteria growth. When your mouth is always dry, gums pull back, and bacteria can thrive. This is an ideal environment for cavities to grow.

Your daily oral health plan.

Dental problems are common in seniors. But altering a few basic habits can help to protect your teeth, no matter your age.

Every day, you should:

If you have no oral health routine right now, this list may look daunting. Don't despair. With practice and repetition, these steps become second nature. You'll eventually brighten your smile without even thinking about it.

Can adults use orthodontics?

Crowded, crooked teeth can impair your oral health routine. It's hard to push floss between molars that overlap, and toothbrush bristles can pinch in the overlapping spaces.

Seniors with crooked teeth have options. In fact, experts say more seniors are choosing to visit dental professionals to straighten their teeth, some for the very first time.

Teeth anchor to the jaw via ligaments and bones, and it's difficult to make major adjustments after growth plates close and the body stiffens with age. For some seniors, this means visiting a surgeon is part of the process of straightening their teeth. Surgeons can dig in and change tooth position below the gumline. But for seniors with less severe issues, more traditional solutions might work just as well.

The choice of tool is up to you and your dental health professional. But if your crooked smile is keeping you from living your best life, a consultation could be what you need. Your team might recommend:

The choice of tool is up to you and your dental health professional. But if your crooked smile is keeping you from living your best life, this could be an appropriate solution.