Good oral health boosts happiness in older adults

Posted on December 4, 2025 in Healthy You

As you get older, you might think about staying active, managing chronic conditions and keeping your mind sharp. But one area that doesn’t always get enough attention is your oral health. Turns out, your mouth can have a big impact on your quality of life and overall well-being as you age.

Here’s the problem: Taking care of your oral health often gets harder as you get older. More medications bring more side effects that can harm your teeth and gums. Gripping a toothbrush or floss can be difficult due to dexterity issues or arthritis. And oral health problems, like cavities and gum disease, are simply more common with age.¹

But with regular dental visits and good at-home care, you can enjoy good oral health and all the benefits it brings for years to come. And as research shows, there’s a lot of good that comes with a healthy mouth.

How oral health influences happiness, social life and mood

A 2023 Senior Mental and Oral Health report conducted by Delta Dental found a strong connection between oral health and mental well-being in older adults.

A survey of more than 1,000 Americans aged 50 and older found an “inextricable link” between oral and mental health. The survey respondents frequently reported that tooth pain intensified feelings of depression or hopelessness.²

More than half of those surveyed said they feel shame about the appearance of their teeth, and many avoid smiling or socializing because of oral health concerns. Those with depressive symptoms are more likely to skip brushing, flossing or dental visits, which then worsens dental problems, creating a harmful cycle.³

More broadly, studies show that socioeconomic factors, mental health and oral health behaviors are connected. For example, lower income or less education is linked to reduced dental care, worse oral hygiene, and higher likelihood of depression or anxiety.⁴

Protect your mouth and mood for years to come

Taking care of your oral health as you age delivers benefits beyond your teeth and mouth. Here are three simple ways to protect it as you get older.

1. Keep up daily dental hygiene: Gentle twice daily brushing and daily flossing help fight cavities and gum disease.
2. Stay hydrated to manage dry mouth: With age, more people tend to take more medications. Dry mouth is a common medication side effect that you can manage by sipping water throughout the day or using sugar-free lozenges.
3. Don’t skip dental visits: Twice-yearly dental cleanings are important to finding oral health problems early, which usually means less expensive and invasive treatment. They’re also a great time to talk with your dentist about any questions or concerns you have, such as problems swallowing, pain, mouth sensitivity or grip issues that prevent you from brushing and flossing comfortably.

Taking good care of your oral health supports your overall health, confidence and well-being, especially in your later years. If you are seeking dental care, use our online Find a Provider tool for a list of in-network dental providers near you. You can also explore Delta Dental of Iowa’s dental insurance plans for seniors. 

REFERENCE:

National Library of Medicine

Delta Dental

Delta Dental

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention