Losing teeth is not something that simply happens with age. Teeth are lost to decay, gum disease and injury, and all three can be prevented or slowed at any stage of life. What does change in later decades is the set of risks: a drier mouth, gums that have pulled back from the roots, and teeth that already carry fillings and crowns from years gone by.
Australians are holding on to their teeth far better than earlier generations. The National Study of Adult Oral Health found that the share of adults with no natural teeth left fell from 14.4 per cent in 1987 to 1988 to 4.0 per cent in 2017 to 2018 (Peres and Lalloo, Australian Dental Journal, 2020). Tooth loss still rises with age, which is why the habits below matter more, not less, after 60.
Saliva is the mouth's main defence, and it often drops
Saliva rinses away food, carries minerals that repair early enamel damage and buffers acid. When there is less of it, decay can develop quickly, often along the gum line and on exposed roots.
Ageing on its own is not the main reason for a dry mouth. Medicines usually are. Tablets for blood pressure, depression, allergies, bladder control and many other conditions list dry mouth as a side effect, and taking several together tends to add up. Never stop a medicine without speaking to your doctor, but do tell your dentist or OHT what you take, because it changes how we look after your teeth.
Small changes help: sip water through the day, keep sugary and acidic drinks to mealtimes, and ask about a higher-strength fluoride toothpaste or a saliva substitute. Our article on dry mouth causes and treatment covers the options.
Exposed roots decay faster than enamel
Over the years, gums often recede and uncover the root of the tooth. Unlike the crown, the root is not covered by enamel, so it softens in acid more easily and can become sensitive. Decay on root surfaces is a common reason older adults need new fillings even if they had few problems earlier in life. You can read more about why gums pull back in our guide to receding gums.
Fluoride is the main protection. A 2026 systematic review in the Journal of Dentistry (Chen and colleagues) found that high-concentration fluoride toothpaste, used on a dentist's advice, was the most effective of the toothpastes studied for hardening root decay and preventing new lesions. Your dentist can tell you if a stronger toothpaste is worth using in your case.
Gum health and general health affect each other
Gum disease (periodontitis) becomes more common as people age, and it is a leading cause of loose teeth. It also has links with other conditions. The clearest is diabetes. A consensus report from the European Federation of Periodontology and the International Diabetes Federation (Sanz and colleagues, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2018) described the relationship as two-way: people with diabetes are more prone to periodontitis, and periodontitis is linked with poorer blood sugar control. The same report found that gum treatment in people with diabetes was associated with a small improvement in blood sugar levels over three months. More on this is in our article on diabetes and gum disease.
Bleeding when brushing, gums that look swollen, bad breath that does not go away and teeth that feel loose are all reasons to book a check, rather than wait for pain.
Adjusting your routine as hands and health change
The basics are the same at 75 as at 25, with a few practical tweaks:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. An electric toothbrush has a thicker handle and does more of the work, which suits people with arthritis or a weaker grip.
- Clean between teeth once a day. Interdental brushes or a water flosser are often easier to manage than string floss.
- Spit out toothpaste after brushing rather than rinsing, so more fluoride stays on the teeth.
- Clean dentures every day and take them out overnight unless your dentist advises otherwise. Our guide to denture adhesives explains when an adhesive is useful and when it hides a fit problem.
When someone else helps with mouth care
People living with dementia, limited mobility or other serious illness often rely on family or carers for daily care, and teeth are easy to overlook. Problems can then go unnoticed, because the person may not be able to say a tooth hurts. Changes in eating, pulling at the face or new restlessness at mealtimes can be signs of mouth pain.
A regular time each day for brushing, a toothbrush with a larger handle, and a quick look in the mouth for redness, swelling or broken teeth all help. Bring the carer to dental visits if you can, so they can learn what to watch for.
Replacing teeth later in life
When a tooth cannot be saved, there are choices. Removable options are explained in our comparison of full and partial dentures. Implants are another possibility, and there is no fixed upper age limit for dental implants. General health, bone, medicines and how easily you can clean around them count for more than age, and a dentist can talk you through whether they suit you.
What older patients ask us
How often should I have a check-up?
It depends on your risk. Many people are seen every 6 to 12 months, but if you have a dry mouth, gum disease or a lot of existing dental work, your dentist may suggest more frequent visits.
Why am I getting holes in my teeth now when I never did before?
A drier mouth, exposed roots and old fillings that are starting to leak at the edges can all raise the risk of decay, even in people who rarely needed fillings when they were younger.
Is there any help with dental costs?
In NSW, adults who live in NSW, are eligible for Medicare and hold (or are listed as a dependent on) a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are eligible for public dental care. Private health insurance with extras cover can also reduce the cost of private treatment. After your examination you will usually receive a written treatment plan, often by email, before any work starts.
Keeping your own teeth for longer
Lumi Dental sees patients of all ages, and our dentists and oral health therapists are happy to work out a routine and check-up schedule that fits your health and your medicines. There is free undercover parking at Melrose Central, and health fund claims are processed on the spot. To arrange a visit, see our current new patient offers.
Sources
- Peres MA, Lalloo R. Tooth loss, denture wearing and implants: findings from the National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017 to 18. Aust Dent J. 2020. PubMed
- Sanz M, et al. Scientific evidence on the links between periodontal diseases and diabetes: consensus report of the IDF and EFP joint workshop. J Clin Periodontol. 2018. PubMed
- Chen H, et al. The use of toothpastes containing different active agents in managing root caries: a systematic review with network meta-analysis. J Dent. 2026. PubMed
- NSW Health. Public dental services: information for patients. health.nsw.gov.au
