Find Low-cost Dental Care for Seniors

The following resources may be helpful in finding low-cost dental care:

See if local dental schools have student clinics. Visit www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/FindingDentalCare.
Contact your county or state health department to find dental clinics near you that charge based on income.
Call 888-275-4772 (toll-free) or visit www.ask.hrsa.gov/pc/ to locate a community health center near you that offers dental services.
Check your State or local dental association at www.ada.org/ada/organizations/searchcons1.asp to find dentists in your area who have lower fees for older adults.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institute of Health (NIH) leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.

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Comments 1 to 6 of 6

altoman

Give a Hug

May 9, 2011

I battled T4 Squamous cell carcinoma in 2007. It originated in my right sinus below my eye, took out my maxilla, hard palate, partial soft palate, upper right jaw and 6 teeth, then migrated to my left neck lymph nodes. As a result of radiation therapy I suffer from permanent chronic dry mouth. In 2008 I developed the XEROS dry mouth pump which you can see at http://drymouthpump.com. It turned my life around. I can now speak at length, sleep through the entire night, and engage in physical exercise and activities. I decided to stop suffering and start living. None of the commercially available products worked because their labels say that they stimulate saliva production. If your saliva glands are destroyed by radiation, there is no stimulation. The XEROS is the only available solution today.

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Ruth1957

May 12, 2011

Ahh.... as to "You can protect your teeth from decay by using fluoride toothpaste", let's not make that generalization without some facts!!! I avoid fluoride with as much passion as I avoid aluminum, MSG, and other poisons. However, I agree that mouth health is super important. Just don't ask me to add chemicals to MY body...

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sskape2

We have been having a hard time lately, getting my Mom to open her mouth to remove and clean her dentures. If anyone has any helpful hints that work for you I'd like to hear them. Thanks

linda09

ssk- when my kids were little they would not open thier mouth to let dr look inside , he was a smart one , he closed thier nose till they turn blue and mouth came open realy wide so they can breath . im thinking shall try that with the elders ...

Being a cancer survivor, the radiation scars the jaw muscles. Consequently, my mouth cannot open more than 1/2 inch. I have to fit a 1" high prosthesis into my mouth every morning, out every night. Challenging? You bet. But there is a way.

I also have a device called Thera-bite. It exercises and stretches the mouth open. Perhaps you can borrow it :O) !?!

I have people email me that they cannot open their mouth more than 1/4". I am one lucky dude!

Maybe if you make your Mom laugh so hard, she'll open her mouth laughing and the dentures will fall out!?!

I hadn't thought of the possibility that my mom may have difficulty opening her mouth enough to get the dentures in/out, but it makes sense. She can't smile like she used to and the jaw muscles do get "tone" with dementia.
I'll try tickling her and telling jokes :0)

Finding Low-cost Dental Care

Page 6: Teeth and Mouth Care for Seniors

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