Beyond the toothbrush: Older adults' experiences with daily oral self-care

This narrative review explores the experiences of older adults (≥65 years) in maintaining daily oral self-care. It examines perceived challenges, enablers, and coping strategies to inform dental hygienists in developing person-centred, sustainable approaches to support oral hygiene in aging populations.

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase using MeSH terms and keywords related to older adults, oral self-care, barriers, facilitators, and lived experiences. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies published in English between 2010 and 2025 were eligible. Key findings on challenges, facilitators, and lived experiences related to oral self-care were extracted and appraised for methodological quality.

Of the 24 studies initially identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Barriers to consistent oral hygiene included functional decline, cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, environmental limitations, and psychosocial factors, contributing to reduced oral function, greater disease burden, and lower oral health-related quality of life. Enablers included adaptive oral hygiene devices, caregiver support, tailored education, and person-centred professional guidance.

Oral self-care among older adults is influenced by multiple physical, cognitive, social, and environmental factors. Effective strategies combine individualized interventions, professional guidance, and supportive routines. Gaps in methodological transparency, longitudinal data, and diverse population representation limit generalizability and highlight the need for further research.

Older adults' oral self-care is shaped by interrelated factors requiring holistic, collaborative, and culturally sensitive approaches in dental hygiene practice. Strengthening the evidence base through rigorous long-term studies will support sustainable, person-centred strategies that enhance oral health and quality of life.