Health
Dental experts reveal 6 essential tips to prevent tooth loss in aging adults
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Some may assume that losing teeth is just part of growing older.
Around 11% of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have lost all of their teeth, according to 2020 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — and that number rises to one in five at age 75 and older.
But according to experts, this isn’t inevitable. Dental professionals shared the following tips to prevent tooth loss and boost overall health.
1. Protect gum health
About two in three adults over age 65 are dealing with some form of gum disease, according to a recently published AARP report.
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Clinical experts cited in the report, including Dr. Uchenna Akosa, assistant professor and director at Rutgers Health University Dental Associates in New Jersey, warn that bleeding gums can signal a much deeper problem.
“Even if you have not lost any teeth, gum disease impairs your ability to chew hard food,” Akosa told AARP. “That will affect your nutrition and can put you at risk of malnutrition in the future.”
If your gums bleed when brushing, or if you notice sensitivity or recession, those are signs to schedule a dental visit. (iStock)
Left untreated, gum disease can also destroy the bones that hold teeth in place and may interfere with nutrition and chewing.
Gum disease is also a source of chronic inflammation in the body, which can contribute to dementia risk, studies have shown. A meta-analysis of about 34,000 people found that older adults who had lost all of their teeth had a 1.4 times greater risk of developing dementia, as cited by AARP.
The publication also points to previous research linking gum disease to other health risks, such as heart attack, stroke and cancer.
Around 11% of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have lost all of their teeth.
Experts recommend focusing on early prevention. If your gums bleed when brushing, or if you notice sensitivity or recession, those are signs to schedule a dental visit.
Regular professional cleanings and checkups can catch gum problems before they lead to tooth loss or other health effects.
People who had lost all of their teeth had a 1.4 times greater risk of developing dementia, according to the AARP. (iStock)
AARP reports that switching to an electric toothbrush, brushing twice daily for two minutes and using a water flosser are all effective ways to protect gum health.
Dr. David Frey, a cosmetic dentist at Your Perfect Smile in Beverly Hills, California, said that he often recommends water flossers – particularly the Sonic-Fusion by Waterpik – to older patients.
“It’s especially valuable for patients with arthritis, limited mobility or trouble using traditional floss,” Frey told Fox News Digital.
2. Take steps to prevent dry mouth
Saliva plays an essential role in neutralizing acids and protecting tooth enamel, but dry mouth affects nearly six in 10 older adults, according to AARP.
Many common medications — including antihistamines, antidepressants and blood pressure drugs — can reduce saliva production, making the mouth more prone to tooth decay, infection and gum disease, WebMD states.
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To prevent dry mouth, AARP recommends sipping water regularly, rinsing the mouth after eating, asking your dentist about prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, and using dry mouth rinses like Biotene or Act.
3. Personalize your dental visits
Contrary to the standard six-month checkup rule, AARP notes that dental care schedules should be personalized.
One doctor in the report noted that there’s “nothing magical about a six-month checkup” — some people may only need to go once a year, while others, especially those with chronic conditions, may need more frequent visits.
The recommended frequency of dental visits is not one-size-fits-all, according to AARP. Some people may only need to go once a year, while others, especially those with chronic conditions, may need more frequent visits. (iStock)
Oral health issues in older adults often go unnoticed, especially those related to bite alignment, according to Frey.
“Bite-related issues are often an overlooked source of headaches and neck pain,” he told Fox News Digital. “The public simply hasn’t been informed that tension, misalignment and jaw dysfunction can manifest in ways that seem unrelated at first glance.”
Evaluating bite position and jaw health can sometimes reveal the root causes of chronic discomfort, Frey noted.
“When I combine 3D imaging with a close exam of the teeth — worn surfaces, tiny fractures and chipping — it often reveals that the muscles around the head and neck aren’t in harmony with the bite.”
4. Explore options for financial help
Only three in 10 adults over 65 have dental insurance, per the American Dental Association, and Medicare typically doesn’t cover cleanings, fillings or other routine procedures.
Many common medications can reduce saliva production, making the mouth more prone to decay, experts say. (iStock)
This financial gap often leads people to skip dental care altogether, which can cause more serious (and expensive) problems in the future.
AARP suggests looking into dental savings plans, local dental schools or sliding-scale community clinics if coverage is an issue.
5. Adopt healthy habits
Smoking is a major contributor to tooth loss.
CDC data shows that smokers are up to three times more likely to lose all their teeth than non-smokers.
CDC data shows that smokers are up to three times more likely to lose all of their teeth than non-smokers. (iStock)
And while sugary cough drops or hard candies may seem harmless, they can be damaging to tooth enamel over time, experts warn.
Switching to sugar-free gum or candies containing xylitol may help prevent cavities and support better oral health, Akosa told AARP.
6. Restore appearance
One of the biggest misconceptions about aging and dental health is that worn, discolored teeth are something to simply accept, according to Frey.
“It’s not just about revitalizing the teeth — it’s about revitalizing the person.”
“A delicate, thin porcelain veneer can restore the vitality, color and shape your teeth once had, enhancing your smile and overall appearance,” he told Fox News Digital.
“And it’s not just cosmetic — it’s about restoring health, confidence and proper function.”
AARP reports that switching to an electric toothbrush, brushing twice daily for two minutes and using a water flosser are all effective ways to protect gum health. (iStock)
According to Dr. Frey, “It’s not just about revitalizing the teeth — it’s about revitalizing the person.”
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For those looking to brighten their smile, Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in St. Louis, recommends seeing a dentist before trying any whitening treatments, per the AARP report.
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“In-office treatments remain the safest, most effective option, while professional-grade take-home kits and OTC products can be great for maintenance,” Fraundorf said.
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Eating processed meat like ham, sausage and bacon may be linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer, according to new research.
While health organizations have already confirmed that processed meat can contribute to colon cancer, this study looked closer at cancers in the upper digestive tract, where the link has historically been less clear.
To understand these connections, researchers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), one of the world’s largest long-term nutrition and cancer cohorts, tracked the health and diets of 450,112 people across Europe for an average of 14 years.
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The study group included 131,426 men and 318,686 women, according to the study’s press release.
During the follow-up period, 876 people developed stomach cancer and 215 people developed esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
For female participants, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk of developing the disease. (iStock)
Researchers tracked where the stomach cancers grew, separating them into the upper part of the stomach near the throat and the lower part of the stomach.
The researchers also sorted the tumors into two categories based on how the cancer cells appeared under a microscope: intestinal, which forms more organized structures, and diffuse, in which the cells are more scattered throughout the tissue.
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After adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that for every extra 30 grams of processed meat a person ate per day, their overall risk of stomach cancer went up by 9%. Eating that same extra 30 grams a day was also linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
A standard single slice of regular deli-sliced ham or lunch meat averages around 28 grams, according to USDA data and nutritional tracking databases.
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken and turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach. (iStock)
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken or turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach, the researchers noted.
The study also revealed differences between men and women. For male participants, only processed meat showed a clear, statistically significant link to a higher risk of stomach cancer. For female participants, however, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk.
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These findings align with global health benchmarks, particularly those established by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The agency has long classified processed meat as a known human carcinogen, primarily due to its strong, well-documented links to colorectal cancer.
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However, health organizations have also consistently pointed to a potential, yet less definitive, relationship between these meats and cancers of the stomach.
Eating 30 grams of processed meat a day, or the equivalent to one slice of ham, was linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. (iStock)
Further scientific investigation is needed to confirm the findings and to account for other underlying risk factors, such as certain stomach infections, which could interact with dietary habits.
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A key limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reported diets, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies in how participants recall their meat consumption over time, the researchers noted.
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The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers requesting comment.
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Yoga is known to boost relaxation, strength and flexibility – and now a new study has found the practice could improve cancer survivors’ quality of life.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances after cancer treatment.
The findings were presented last week at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago.
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The study was conducted across multiple U.S. community cancer care sites, including 410 adult cancer survivors averaging 54 years of age. Around 75% were breast cancer survivors, and none of them had practiced yoga regularly within the prior three months.
A randomized trial led by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that a four-week yoga program significantly reduced insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and mood disturbances in cancer survivors. (iStock)
The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. Half of them received only standard survivorship care without the yoga, while the other half received standard care and were also enrolled in the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training.
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Based on questionnaires completed by the patients, the survivors in the yoga group experienced “moderate-to-large” reductions in overall mood disturbance, “small-to-medium” reductions in anxiety and “medium-to-large” reductions in fatigue, the study found.
The improvements in mood and fatigue appeared to be linked to yoga’s beneficial effect on sleep quality, according to the researchers.
As part of the YOCAS program, the survivors completed two instructor-led 75-minute yoga sessions each week, including 18 Gentle Hatha yoga and Restorative yoga poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness training. (iStock)
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug,” lead investigator Yuri Choi, PhD, of the Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, in Rochester, New York, told Fox News Digital.
The study did not reveal any major safety concerns or serious adverse events related to the yoga practice.
“This indicates that cancer survivors have an option to alleviate these cancer-related side effects at the same time, without adding another drug.”
The study did have some limitations, chiefly that the findings are preliminary and have not yet been peer-reviewed for a medical publication.
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“The sample in our clinical trial was relatively homogeneous, with most participants being women (96%), breast cancer patients (75%), Caucasian (93%), and having some college or higher education (82%),” noted Choi.
“We are adapting our intervention to reach all cancer patients and survivors, including the creation of a mobile app to reach people in rural communities.”
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The research also excluded patients with metastatic cancer (whose disease had spread to other parts of the body).
The total study was only four weeks, so more research is needed to determine long-term benefits.
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted. (iStock)
If the findings are confirmed by peer-reviewed publications, this could lead to recommendations for structured yoga programs as a non-drug supportive therapy for cancer survivors, the researchers noted.
Some yoga studios may use different names for Gentle Hatha and Restorative yoga, such as Foundations Yoga or Healing Yoga, Choi noted.
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“Survivors should also look for certified yoga instructors who have experience working with cancer patients/survivors or individuals with other challenging health conditions,” the researcher advised. “They should not be afraid to ask their oncology team for referrals to qualified instructors in their community.”
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Choi also noted that the research did not reveal whether other types of yoga, such as heated-room or rigorous-flow yoga, are safe or beneficial for cancer survivors.
The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute.
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