Eating well is incredibly important to staying healthy as you age. Many know that eating healthy can keep your heart and bones strong but few know how your everyday diet can affect your oral health. Older adults have different bodily functions that process nutrients so getting the correct nutrition is important to keep teeth, gums and jawbones healthy.

Poor nutrition can create a cycle in older adults. Your teeth and gums will become weaker due to a lack of nutrients causing increased tooth loss and gum disease. The pain caused by mouth problems will prevent older adults from eating fresh foods with lots of nutrients. They will then eat soft, processed foods with lots of refined carbohydrates. Knowing how important nutrition is will help carers, families and older adults to take action to keep their teeth healthy.

How Can Age Impact Your Teeth?

Having the right amount of essential vitamins and minerals in your mouth can help repair cell damage and fight off bacteria. As we age our bodies change meaning we can suffer from less stomach acid, slower metabolism and altered taste buds meaning we lose our appetite.

If you are lacking essential nutrients your immune system will be weakened. This will make it harder for your body to fight off all the bacteria found in your mouth. Bacteria will grow quickly creating plaque that sticks to the gum line. Plaque releases acidic substances that will cause enamel to weaken. Without proper nutrition your body will struggle to repair any small amounts of damage causing increased tooth decay, gum damage and jawbone loss.

Which Essential Nutrients Can Affect Older Adults’ Oral Health?

Certain nutrients can cause specific issues to occur in your mouth. Knowing what to look out for can help families to make changes to their everyday diet.

  • Calcium & Vitamin D Deficiency – Calcium helps keep your teeth strong and keeps your alveolar bone (dense jawbone that holds your tooth roots) strong. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. If you lack these essential nutrients your bones will become weaker (Osteoporosis) causing your jawbone to weaken. Your natural teeth will become loose causing premature tooth loss.

  • Vitamin C Deficiency – Vitamin C helps produce collagen. Collagen helps to keep your gums tight around your teeth. If you lack vitamin C your gums will become inflamed, bleed easily and will begin to recede.

  • Vitamin B Complex Deficiency – B vitamins (B12, Folate & Riboflavin) help to keep your mouth healthy. A lack of these vitamins can cause pain in your mouth. Older adults may suffer with a burning mouth, inflamed tongue (Glossitis) and cracking sores on the corners of their mouth (Angular Cheilitis).

  • Protein Deficiency – Protein helps repair cells and fight infections. A lack of protein will cause slow repair of your mouth. Gums will become weaker.

How Can Poor Nutrition Cause Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease (Gum disease) is one of the main causes of tooth loss in older adults. Poor nutrition can cause periodontal disease.

Eating foods high in refined sugar and carbohydrates will feed the harmful bacteria in your mouth (Porphyromonas Gingivitis). As the bacteria eats the sugars toxic substances are released causing irritation to your gums. In a healthy body with good nutrition antioxidants such as vitamin E, Vitamin A and Zinc will help fight off the oxidation.

However, if you are suffering from poor nutrition you will lack these antioxidants causing chronic inflammation. This will cause the periodontal ligament fibers and jawbone to weaken. This will cause deep pockets to form between your teeth and gums where dark bacteria colonies can grow causing your teeth to become loose.

How Can Dry Mouth and Malnutrition Affect Older Adults?

Millions of older adults suffer from dry mouth (Xerostomia). This can be caused by taking daily medication however poor hydration and nutrition can make it worse.

Saliva is a natural protection for your mouth. It helps to wash away any food residue, fight off harmful acids from bacteria and delivers important calcium and phosphate to the enamel. If you are suffering from poor nutrition and dehydration you will not produce enough saliva.

This will cause food to get stuck on your teeth for long periods of time. This creates the perfect environment for quick cavity growth. Having a dry mouth will cause pain when trying to chew solid nutritious foods such as raw vegetables and lean proteins.

How Can Nutrition Affect Dentures in Older Adults?

Poor nutrition can cause problems with your dentures. Poor fitting dentures will cause problems with your nutrition.

If you lack essential minerals such as calcium your jawbone will shrink. Dentures need a solid jaw bone ridge to sit on. This will cause your dentures to become loose and uncomfortable. They will rub against your soft gums causing painful mouth sores.

Many older adults will stop eating fresh fruits, raw vegetables, seeds and lean proteins to avoid any discomfort. They will eat soft foods such as white bread, sugary pastries, processed soups and soft sweets. This will cause a lack of essential vitamins and increase simple sugar intake causing quicker decay in your remaining natural teeth.

How Can Older Adults Improve Nutrition for Better Oral Health?

Carers and older adults can do the following to improve their everyday nutrition.

  • Eat foods high in calcium and vitamin D – Try to eat plain yogurt, hard cheeses, dark leafy greens and fortified plant milks daily. This will help strengthen your jawbone and enamel.

  • Increase lean protein – Try to eat soft protein rich foods such as scrambled eggs, baked fish, well cooked lentils, tofu and smooth nut butters.

  • Drink plenty of water – Drinking plain water will help increase your saliva. This will help wash away any food residue and keep your mouth soft tissues healthy.

  • Avoid refined sugars – Try to avoid eating sugary foods, fizzy drinks, shop bought fruit juice and sticky pastries. This will feed the harmful bacteria causing cavities and irritation.

  • Eat soft antioxidant rich foods – Try to eat soft nutritious foods such as mashed sweet potatoes, steamed carrots, ripe berries and applesauce. This will help give your body essential vitamin C and antioxidants.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Nutrition and Oral Health in Older Adults?

Can Improving My Diet Help With Gum Disease in Seniors?

You cannot cure severe periodontitis by improving your diet however it can help reduce inflammation. Eating foods with high vitamin C, antioxidants and protein will help your dentist treat your teeth. It will also help your gums become stronger and stop any further bone loss.

What Soft Foods Can I Eat to Keep Me Nourished?

Older adults suffering from mouth pain can eat scrambled eggs, smooth vegetable soups, Greek yogurt, mashed avocado, steamed salmon, well cooked lentils, fruit smoothies and oatmeal. These foods will keep you well nourished with lots of vitamins, healthy fats and proteins. They are easy to chew.

How Does Dehydration Affect My Teeth and Gums?

Dehydration causes a lack of saliva. This will cause your mouth to become dry. Without saliva to help wash away food and fight off the bacteria they will thrive causing quick cavity growth. You will also suffer from bad breath and irritated gums.

Should Seniors Take Nutritional Supplements?

Before taking any nutritional supplements you should consult your main doctor or dentist. They can check your blood levels and advise on the correct safe dosage for vitamin D, calcium or B complex vitamins.