The world’s older population is growing rapidly — 8.5% of people worldwide (617 million) are aged 65 and over. Alongside the challenges of aging come chronic conditions that require ongoing monitoring, including oral health. Yet dental care remains one of the most overlooked areas in nursing homes and senior living facilities.
Senior Oral Health: The Silent Epidemic
The most common oral diseases in the elderly are periodontal disease and dental caries, with oral lesions and xerostomia also frequently occurring. Poor oral hygiene in senior living centers accelerates these conditions, leaving residents vulnerable to pain and tooth loss.
More critically, research has found a direct link between oral bacteria and aspiration pneumonia. One study found that 1 in 10 deaths from pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents may be preventable by improving oral hygiene — recommending tooth brushing after each meal, daily cleaning of removable prostheses, and professional oral health care once a week.
Despite being federally mandated under the 1987 National Nursing Home Reform Act, routine tooth brushing for residents who cannot brush themselves remains widely unimplemented.
Teledentistry: A New Solution
Modern telehealth services like The TeleDentists® are now using teledentistry to monitor toothbrushing and provide relief for xerostomia and other oral health conditions. Teledentistry has proven effective for diagnosing dental pathologies and assessing the rehabilitation of dental prostheses and chewing ability among elderly nursing home residents.
The TeleDentists offers a first-of-its-kind virtual dental service. Its national network of licensed dentists uses virtual tools — smartphones, tablets, and laptops — to diagnose, remediate, and, when needed, arrange local dental appointments the next business day. It also offers an education program and a monitored toothbrushing program designed around gaps in senior living staff training.
Teledentistry Benefits for Senior Living
When a resident experiences dental pain, they can consult with The TeleDentists virtually — without leaving their facility. The dentist can prescribe medication to manage symptoms and arrange a nearby in-person appointment if needed. This eliminates multiple trips to outside offices, reducing burden on both residents and caregivers while lowering costs.
What Is Xerostomia?
Xerostomia (dry mouth) is one of the most common dental conditions in seniors, affecting over 50 million patients in the United States — with 17 to 29% being older adults. It frequently co-occurs with other conditions including burning mouth syndrome, dysphagia, halitosis, dental caries, and periodontal disease. Over 1,100 medications can cause dry mouth, as can systemic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Treating Xerostomia in Seniors
The TeleDentists and SalivaMAX have partnered to address dry mouth in senior populations. SalivaMAX is an FDA-approved treatment for dry mouth and throat. Through The TeleDentists’ expanded reach into senior living centers, residents can discuss xerostomia with a dental provider and receive a SalivaMAX prescription — extending dental care to the population that needs it most.
For more information on The TeleDentists:
- General inquiries: Leah Sigler, Director of Operations — leahs@theteledentists.com
- Senior Living Center enrollment: Howard Reis, CEO — howardr@theteledentists.com
