Caring for an Older Relative’s Teeth and Dentures

By the team at Bollington Dental Practice, under the clinical direction of Dr Ellie Burrows, Principal Dentist. Updated October 2026.

Helping a parent or older relative with their teeth is one of those caring jobs nobody really prepares you for. It can feel awkward for both of you, and it is easy for it to slip when there are medicines, meals and appointments to manage. Yet a comfortable mouth makes a real difference to eating well, speaking clearly, sleeping and simply feeling like yourself. This practical guide to dental care for elderly relatives is for family members and carers who want to get it right without turning it into a battle.

The short answer

Aim for teeth brushed twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, dentures cleaned daily and taken out at night, plenty of sips of water if their mouth is dry, and a dental check at the interval their dentist recommends. Keep sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes where you can. Watch for changes in behaviour that might mean mouth pain, especially if your relative cannot easily tell you. A new patient examination here is £89 including X-rays.

Why mouth care changes as we get older

Many older people keep some or all of their natural teeth for life, which is good news but means more teeth to look after, often with older fillings, crowns and bridges. Gums can recede with age, exposing the softer root surfaces, which decay more easily than enamel. Arthritis, poor eyesight, tremor or tiredness can make thorough brushing harder than it used to be.

Medicines and dry mouth. A large number of common medicines, including some for blood pressure, depression, bladder problems and allergies, can reduce saliva. Saliva protects teeth and helps dentures stay in place, so a dry mouth raises the risk of decay, gum problems and sore spots. Never stop a medicine because of dry mouth, but do mention it to their GP or pharmacist, who may be able to review it. Our guide to dry mouth causes and relief covers practical help.

Diet changes. Smaller appetites, softer foods, frequent snacks and sweet drinks to keep energy up can all add sugar to the mouth more often through the day. If your relative has been given nutritional supplement drinks, keep using them as advised, and ask their GP or dietitian whether they can be taken with meals rather than sipped slowly over the day.

How to brush someone else’s teeth

If your relative can still brush for themselves, encourage it, even if you need to finish off or check afterwards. Doing as much as they can for themselves preserves dignity and independence. If you are doing it for them, these steps help:

• Get the position right. Standing slightly behind or to the side of them, with their head supported, often works better than standing directly in front. A chair with a headrest, or sitting them in front of a mirror so they can see what you are doing, can help.
• Use the right kit. A small-headed, soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, and a fluoride toothpaste of 1,350 to 1,500 ppm. A pea-sized amount is enough. A brush with a chunkier handle can be easier for someone with arthritis to hold.
• Brush gently in small circles along the gum line on the outside, inside and biting surfaces of every tooth, for about two minutes. Explain what you are about to do before each step.
• Spit, do not rinse. Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste rather than rinsing with water, so the fluoride keeps working. If they cannot spit, wipe away the excess with a damp cloth or gauze.
• Clean between the teeth once a day with interdental brushes if they are able to tolerate it. Our guide on interdental brushes and water flossers compares the options.
• Brush last thing at night as a priority, because saliva flow drops during sleep and teeth are most vulnerable then.

If your relative is at higher risk of decay, their dentist may prescribe a higher-strength fluoride toothpaste. If so, use it exactly as directed.

Looking after dentures

Clean them every day. Take the dentures out and brush them over a bowl of water or a folded towel, so they do not break if dropped. Use a denture brush with soap or a denture cleaner rather than ordinary toothpaste, which can scratch. Our guide to denture care goes into more detail.

Out at night. Unless their dentist advises otherwise, dentures should come out overnight to give the gums a rest. Store them in water or a denture solution in a clearly labelled pot, and never in hot water, which can warp them.

Clean the mouth too. With the dentures out, gently brush any remaining natural teeth and clean the gums, tongue and roof of the mouth with a soft brush or damp gauze.

Keep track of them. Dentures go missing surprisingly often in hospitals and care homes. Ask the dentist whether their dentures can be marked with their name.

Watch the fit. As gums change, dentures can loosen, rub or cause sores, and a sudden reluctance to wear them is often a sign. If your relative has new dentures, our guide to getting used to new dentures covers what is normal in the first few weeks. Loose or uncomfortable dentures can often be adjusted or relined, so book a check rather than letting them go unworn.

Signs of mouth pain in someone who cannot say

People living with dementia, or who have had a stroke or other conditions affecting communication, may not be able to tell you their mouth hurts. Look out for:

• Refusing food, eating less, or chewing on one side only
• Pulling at their face, mouth or ear, or holding their cheek
• Refusing to wear their dentures, or taking them out repeatedly
• New restlessness, aggression, shouting or disturbed sleep
• Resisting mouth care when they previously accepted it
• Bad breath, bleeding or swelling, or drooling more than usual

Any of these is worth a dental check. Mouth pain is a common cause of changes in behaviour, and it can often be treated.

Tips for mouth care with dementia

Keep a routine. Same time, same place and the same steps each day help mouth care feel familiar. Keep instructions short and simple, one step at a time, and show rather than tell: brushing your own teeth alongside them can prompt them to copy. Try a hand over hand approach, placing your hand over theirs to guide the brush. Choose a calm moment, and if they become distressed, stop and try again later rather than pushing on.

It also helps to see the dentist early after a dementia diagnosis, while your relative can still take part in decisions. Their dentist can plan treatment that will be easier to maintain later on and advise on a simple routine.

If they cannot get to a practice. In England, NHS community dental services can see people who are unable to use a regular dental practice, including some who are housebound. Ask their GP or call NHS 111 for information about services in your area. If your relative can come in, call us first so we can talk about any mobility or communication needs before the appointment.

When to get urgent help

Call us on 01625 574609 if your relative has toothache, a swollen gum, a broken tooth or denture, or a sore that is making eating difficult. Outside our opening hours, call NHS 111. Any ulcer, red or white patch or lump in the mouth that has not healed within three weeks should be checked by a dentist or GP, and our guide to mouth cancer signs explains why. If they have swelling in the face or neck that affects breathing, swallowing or the eye, call 999 or go to A&E.

If you live in or around Macclesfield, our dentist in Macclesfield page explains how to join the practice, our fees and how to find us.

Frequently asked questions

How often should an elderly person see the dentist?

It depends on their mouth rather than their age. Dentists recommend check-ups anywhere from every 3 months to every 2 years based on risk. Older people with natural teeth, dry mouth or a history of decay are often seen more frequently. People with full dentures still need regular checks of their gums and the soft tissues of the mouth.

What toothpaste should older people use?

A fluoride toothpaste of 1,350 to 1,500 ppm suits most adults, used twice a day with spitting rather than rinsing afterwards. Older people at high risk of decay, particularly on exposed roots or with a dry mouth, may be prescribed a higher-strength fluoride toothpaste by their dentist.

Should dentures be left out at night?

In most cases, yes. Taking dentures out overnight lets the gums rest and helps prevent soreness and infections such as denture stomatitis. Store them in water or a denture solution, never hot water. Their dentist may give different advice in particular situations.

How can I tell if someone with dementia has toothache?

Look for changes such as refusing food, chewing on one side, pulling at the face or mouth, refusing dentures, disturbed sleep, or new agitation. These can have other causes, but mouth pain is a common one, so it is worth arranging a dental check.

Book a check for your relative

If you are worried about an older relative’s teeth or dentures, a dental examination is a good place to start. Call us on 01625 574609 and tell us about any needs before the visit. New patient examinations are £89 including X-rays, acrylic dentures are from £625, and all our prices are on our fees page.

Back to Blog