--- title: "Senior Dentistry Wildwood, MO | Specialized Dental Care" description: "Town Center Dental in Wildwood, MO offers expert senior dentistry, treating dry mouth, brittle teeth, oral cancer risks, and more. Schedule an appointment today!" url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/senior-dentistry publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- ![A treatment room at Town Center Dental](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/_astro/operatory.BtWSIl_n_Z1UbW1N.avif) # Senior Dentistry Mouth care changes with age. Medicines, health conditions and dexterity can all affect your teeth and gums. Regular dental visits help your dentist catch problems early and adjust your care. Bring a list of your medicines and health conditions, and ask about dry mouth, dentures and coverage. Medicare does not cover most routine dental care. [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866) ## A second round of cavities The American Dental Association says older adults enter a second round of cavity-prone years, and dry mouth is a common cause. ## Dry mouth is not normal aging NIDCR says dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. Many medicines cause it, so tell your dentist what you take. ## Medicare is limited As of October 2026, Medicare.gov says in most cases Medicare does not cover routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures or implants. ## Health matters more than age For dental implants, the American Dental Association says your health is more of a factor than your age. Geriatric dentistry includes both patients over the age of 75, and patients who are younger but suffer from chronic illness, or physical and cognitive impairment. There are some elevated concerns for the development of caries, periodontitis, and other ailments including oral cancer in geriatric patients. Our staff at Town Center Dental can help our patients better understand these conditions, and advise them on both oral hygiene routines to incorporate at home, or treatment if needed, going forward. Your oral health matters at every age, and there are steps to help you navigate each season of life to have a healthy smile. Overall, geriatric patients follow the same advice that we give to all of our patients on daily brushing, flossing, and watching their diet. Older patients should also be aware of some conditions that can arise. ## Dry Mouth Known as xerostomia, dry mouth is common in geriatric patients. It is a decrease in the production of saliva. You may not be aware of the important role that saliva plays in your dental health. Saliva is a natural cleaning agent, removing food debris and plaque from your mouth. Patients can develop dry mouth from certain medications, from changes to their health, or even changes to their nutrition. We may want to discuss any known changes to see if we can elevate saliva production or discuss other possibilities. ## Root Caries Children often suffer from the development of caries, or cavities, on the surfaces of their molars because they are not the best at brushing their teeth and removing stuck food and plaque. Geriatric patients often suffer from the development of caries, or cavities, higher up on the tooth, closer to the root. Geriatric patients are at risk for root caries often due to the wearing of dentures, lack of dexterity for proper brushing, and diet changes. ## Development of Oral Cancer Oral cancer can develop in anyone, especially if the patient smokes or heavily drinks, but studies have found that patients over the age of 45 are at an even higher risk. During your exam we will look for symptoms of trouble. This may include changes to the coloring or texture of your tissue, the development of bumps and lumps and more. If we spot anything unusual, we may ask to take a small tissue sample to be examined more closely in a biopsy. ## Brittle Teeth Research has shown that teeth do become brittle with age, but there are ways to combat this. As we age, the dentin in our teeth does grow more brittle and the enamel dries out causing more cracks to occur. However, we also know that people with good oral hygiene and nutrition can often avoid developing brittle teeth. There are many causes for a person to develop brittle teeth, but there are also many ways to treat them. ## Schedule an Appointment At Town Center Dental, we can help navigate your older years and keep a healthy smile. Whenever possible, protecting your natural teeth is best. If natural teeth are lost, we can discuss restoration options including implant retained full arch dentures. Your oral health is important. Call us at [636-273-5866](tel:6362735866) today to schedule an appointment. What to bring to a dental visit Bring Why it helps A list of all medicines, vitamins and supplements Many medicines cause dry mouth or affect bleeding and healing. A list of health conditions and your doctors Your dentist adjusts care to your health and may talk with your doctor. Your dentures, partials or night guard Your dentist can check the fit and wear. Your insurance cards and any plan details The office can explain how your plan may apply. Questions and a trusted person if you want one A family member or caregiver can help you remember the plan. ## What can I do about dry mouth? Start by telling your dentist and your doctor. NIDCR explains that hundreds of medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva, including some for high blood pressure, depression and bladder control. Disease, radiation and chemotherapy can also cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. The American Dental Association lists steps that may help: sip water through the day, use sugar-free gum or lozenges to stimulate saliva, use an over-the-counter moisturizer spray or rinse, and use a humidifier. Limit coffee, alcohol, carbonated soft drinks and acidic juices. Ask your doctor whether a medicine change makes sense. Do not change a medicine on your own. Your dentist may apply a fluoride gel or varnish to protect your teeth. Read the glossary entry on [dry mouth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dry-mouth-xerostomia) or our post on [dry mouth causes and fixes](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/dry-mouth-causes-and-dentist-backed-fixes). ## Does Medicare cover dental care? Mostly no, as of October 2026. Medicare.gov says that in most cases Medicare does not cover dental services like routine cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or items like dentures and implants. There are limited exceptions when a dental service is tied to a covered medical treatment. You pay all costs for non-covered services. Many people use another plan for dental care. Check your own plan for the deductible, yearly maximum, waiting periods and which services are covered. Terms such as [annual maximum](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/annual-maximum) and [deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible) can be confusing, so ask your plan to explain them. Town Center Dental gives each patient a personal estimate. Bring your insurance information to your visit so the office can talk through your options. The [insurance and financing page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/patients/insurance-and-financing) explains what to bring. Our blog post on [Medicare and dental care](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/does-medicare-cover-dental-care) and the [seniors guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-care-for-seniors) give more detail. See Medicare.gov for the official page. ## How can a caregiver help with daily mouth care? Daily cleaning is still the foundation, even when it gets harder. The American Dental Association says that if a loved one is having difficulty with brushing and flossing, a dentist or hygienist can offer tips or a different approach. If your loved one wears dentures, clean them daily with a denture cleaner, and take them out for at least four hours in each 24-hour period. The ADA notes that bacteria stick to dentures as well as teeth. When they are out of your mouth, keep them covered in water so they do not warp. Bring the caregiver to the visit if that helps. Ask the dentist to explain the plan in plain words and to write it down. For more on dentures, see [dentures](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dentures) and [denture repair](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/denture-repair). You can also read about [senior dental checkups](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/senior-dental-checkups). To book, [request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment). ## Questions about senior dentistry [Read the guideDental Care for Seniors: What Changes With Age and What Medicare Covers](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-care-for-seniors) ### Does Medicare cover dental care for seniors? As of October 2026, Medicare.gov says that in most cases Medicare does not cover routine dental services like cleanings, fillings and extractions. There are limited exceptions tied to covered medical care. Check any other plan you have, and ask the office about your estimate. ### Does Medicare cover dentures? In most cases no. Medicare.gov lists dentures and implants among items it does not cover as of October 2026. Some other plans cover part of the cost. Ask your plan about limits, and ask the office for a personal estimate before you decide. ### Why am I getting cavities again after many years? The American Dental Association says that as we get older we enter a second round of cavity-prone years, and dry mouth is one common cause. Tell your dentist about changes in medicines or health, and ask about fluoride and cleaning aids. ### Can I get dental implants at my age? Age alone is not the deciding factor. The American Dental Association says your health matters more than your age. Chronic illness and tobacco can slow healing. Your dentist reviews your health and your mouth, and may talk with your doctor. ### Do I need antibiotics before dental work? Only some people do. The American Dental Association says antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for a small number of people with specific heart conditions. Tell your dentist about your heart and joints, and ask your doctor if you are unsure. ### Does the dentist check for oral cancer at my age? Yes, as part of your exam. The American Dental Association says your dentist checks for signs of oral cancer during dental visits, and that regular visits matter. See the oral cancer screening page for what the exam covers. ## Related services - [Dental Checkups for Seniors](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/senior-dental-checkups) - [Dentures](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dentures) - [Dental Implants](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-implant) - [Oral Cancer Screening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/oral-cancer-screening) - [Periodontal Care](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/periodontal-care) ## Sources - [ADA MouthHealthy: Dental health concerns for adults over 60](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/adults/dental-health-concerns-adults-over-60) - [NIDCR (NIH): Dry Mouth](https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/dry-mouth) - [ADA MouthHealthy: Healthy habits for adults over 60](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/adults/healthy-habits-adults-over-60) - [ADA MouthHealthy: Dental implants](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/implants) - [Medicare.gov: Dental services](https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/dental-services) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)