Dental coverage for seniors: 5 oral-health risks for older adults

Looking for dental coverage for seniors to save money on taking care of your teeth? 

As you get older, dental health continues to be an important part of your well-being. The state of your teeth and gums can impact your overall health.

Makes sense, right?

• Here’s the thing. An estimated 35% of older adults haven’t seen a dentist in the past year.¹
  

And that’s a problem that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss and other health-related complications.²

But it doesn’t have to be that way. dental coverage for seniors can make it easier and more affordable to get regular dental check-ups and the dental care you need. 

So how do you keep your teeth healthy when you’re older?

Finding the right solution for dental insurance coverage is a good start.

In this article, you’ll learn about: 

• The top five oral health problems for seniors
• Your dental coverage options
• Where to find dental coverage for seniors in your state 

What are the top five oral health problems for seniors? 

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist, you’re not alone. 

But the longer you wait, the more likely you are to develop oral health problems that can be costly and painful to fix. Like what?

The top five oral health problems for seniors include:³

1. Untreated tooth decay. About 96% of older adults have had a cavity, while 1 in 5 have a cavity that hasn’t been treated by a dentist.
2. Gum disease. About 68% of older adults have some level of gum disease. Left unchecked, gum disease can lead to tooth loss, breathing problems, heart disease, and other health issues.⁴
3. Tooth loss. Do you still have all 32 teeth? About 1 in 5 adults age 65 and older have lost all of their teeth. It’s even more common as you get older.
4. Oral cancer. The risk for oral and pharyngeal cancers goes up as you age. The average age for being diagnosed with oral cancer is 62-64 years old. About 80 percent of all oral cancers occur in people older than 55.⁵
5. Chronic disease. There’s a link between poor oral health and chronic disease. Chronic disease increases the risk for gum disease and the use of medications. Some medications for chronic disease can cause dry mouth, reducing saliva production and increasing the risk of cavities.⁸ 

Getting dental coverage for seniors can help prevent and treat these common oral health problems in older adults.

But there are a couple different dental coverage options to choose from. 

Here’s what you need to know… 

Your Medicare dental coverage options: 

•     Original Medicare (Part A & Part B) does not cover most dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures or X-rays.⁶
•     Medicare Advantage (Part C). “Under Medicare Part C, some Medicare Advantage plans may cover and pay for routine and other dental services as an added benefit,” according to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. These plans may have a higher premium.⁷
•     Note: If you’re interested in switching to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental coverage, you can do so during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) or if you’ve experienced a qualifying life event.
•     Supplemental dental coverage. If you’d prefer to keep your current Medicare plan, you can still purchase affordable dental insurance. A supplemental dental plan works separately from your Medicare coverage which may help keep your dental out-of-pocket costs down. 

Find dental coverage for seniors in your state

Whether you need routine check-up services or more involved restorative work, dental coverage for senior options is available. 

Looking for an easy way to learn more about dental insurance for seniors like available plans, pricing and coverage? 

A licensed insurance agent in your state can help you find a dental plan. Call (800) 827-9990 to talk with an agent or get more information about dental plans in your state here.