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org Rating:. View Plans. Here are 10 free or low cost dental care options for seniors: The first place you should start is the toothwisdom.

org, a site dedicated to health resources for older adults. Aside from the informative articles you can find on the site, you can also make use of the care locator tool, which will direct you to where you can find low-cost dental care in your area.

Click on your state here and you'll find a list of excellent resources. Speak with an information specialist: If you have more questions, you can also make use of the chat window where an Information Specialist is available from Monday to Friday between 9 AM to 8 PM EST.

Simply dial The number will connect you to a trained professional who will gladly answer your queries or direct you the appropriate agency or organization that can provide help.

To avail of PACE, you need to be at least 55 years old, a resident in the area where the services are offered and deemed eligible for nursing home care. The Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA supports federally-funded health centers for those with no insurance or limited income.

Many offer sliding scale based on what you can afford payments. Visit the site or call 1——— To find out if you qualify as a beneficiary, you can visit their website or call Mila Cohen Meet Dr. Elyse Kerschner Meet Dr.

Scott Kamenitz Meet Dr. Yazan Alkhawam Meet Dr. Kareema Roushdy Meet Dr. Victor Konstantinovsky. Back First Visit Expectations for Adults First Visit Expectations for Children Financial Options. Back Contact Us Locations. Dental Care for Seniors: What You Need to Know Dental Care for Seniors: What You Need to Know As we age, our dental health needs change.

Preventive Dental Care Tips For Seniors Good oral hygiene habits are essential at any age but are particularly important as we grow older.

Here are some key tips when it comes to preventive dentistry for seniors: Brush twice daily Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste helps remove plaque buildup, which can damage enamel and lead to decay. Floss once daily Flossing removes food particles between teeth where brushing may not reach.

Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash An antiseptic mouthwash helps kill bacteria and reduce plaque buildup. Visit the dentist regularly. Restorative Dental Care For Seniors In addition to preventive care, there may be times when restorative treatments are needed.

Fillings Fillings help replace lost tooth structure due to cavities as well as strengthen weakened teeth due to fractures or wear-and-tear damage caused by grinding down the enamel over time. Root Canals Root canals involve removing infected pulp tissue within the center part of each affected tooth, followed by cleaning out all traces before filling the canal with a special filling material called gutta-percha.

Conclusion Good dental care is essential for seniors in order to maintain a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. Create a Hygge Haven. Soups to Comfort Your Soul. AARP Smart Guide. Car Buying. Driver Safety. Is Now the Time to Buy an Electric Car? We Need To Talk. Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills.

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Get Moving With Our Workout Series. You are now leaving AARP. org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Go to Series Main Page. For older Americans, the cost of visiting the dentist can be a shock. After years of having dental coverage through employer-sponsored insurance plans, people age 65 and older are often surprised to learn upon retirement that Medicare does not pay for most dental work.

Surveys show that more than half of older adults skip going to the dentist, in many cases because of the cost. AARP Membership.

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.

Join Now. Though original Medicare and Medigap plans do not pay for most dental work, many Medicare Advantage plans offer some type of dental coverage. Benefits vary, but many plans pay for preventive care such as oral exams, cleanings and X-rays, and some cover a portion of the cost of expensive procedures such as crowns, bridges and root canals.

Your dentist may suggest a less expensive treatment or a way to delay a procedure until you can pay for it. Most dentists are willing to set up payment plans. Some dentists will reduce your bill by 10 to 15 percent if you offer to pay by check upfront, says Michael Reed, a clinical dentist in Dallas and director of Mobile Dental Care.

Privacy Policy. Search for a program in your area on the American Dental Association website. AARP® Dental Insurance Plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company. Dental insurance plans for members and their families. At least 42 states allow dental hygienists to treat patients without the specific authorization or presence of a dentist.

In many states, you can have a hygienist do your cleaning, exam, X-rays, sealant or fluoride treatment, and the cost savings can be significant. Their services are in high demand, so expect a wait. Many dentists offer one or two days a month of free or low-cost care.

Your local health department or United Way can connect you to programs in your area. Some nonprofits and government-funded health clinics provide free or reduced-cost dental services often based on income.

If you are a veteran with a service-connected dental disability, you may be able to get dental care from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Check your eligibility and apply for the benefit at www.

com , an insurance marketplace. These non-insurance dental plans negotiate discounts ranging from 10 to 60 percent on dental costs. You pay a small monthly fee to join, and you get the discounts as long as you use a dentist that accepts the plan. Search for plans in your area at DentalPlans.

A growing number of dental offices offer their own in-office plans for patients that do not otherwise have dental benefits, Sahota says. In return, you receive preventive care at no charge and other procedures at a significant discount.

Look up average prices in your area at FAIR Health , a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing transparency to health costs, then call a few dentists for quotes. If you live in a community with a high cost of living, driving to a less expensive area can boost your savings. Taking care of your teeth daily — and yes, seeing a dentist on a regular basis — is the most cost-effective way to reduce your dental care costs.

Discover AARP Members Only Access. Already a Member? Telehealth Apps Make Dental Care More Affordable and Convenient. How Much Does Medicare Cost? See All. Carrabba's Italian Grill®.

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