Oral Health and Parkinson's Disease
People with PD may be more likely to experience oral or dental changes, and Parkinson’s can bring challenges to caring for your teeth and visiting the dentist. These resources explain what to monitor and inform your dentist and medical team about, with tips for dental and denture care at home, as well as how to improve dental visits.
Short Overviews of Oral Health Issues
Dental Health in PD
Published by Parkinson's Foundation, 2018
This two-page fact sheet discusses physical and behavioral barriers to good dental care for those with PD. It reminds readers that it is easier (and cheaper!) to prevent problems than to fix them, and offers suggestions for good home dental care as well as how to improve dental visits.
Dental Issues Related to Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
By Larry Coffee, DDS. Published by Center for Medicare Advocacy, August 2021
In four-page fact sheet talks a bit about aspiration pneumonia and other infections, dry mouth and other medication side effects, suggestions/modifications to make home dental care easier, potential problems and tips for wearing dentures, and tips for making dental appointments to go smoothly.
Oral Health and Parkinson's Disease
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2018
This two-page fact sheet sumarizes common oral and dental problems with PD, including oral motor impairment, salivary dysfunction, excessive salivation, dry mouth, burning mouth and altered taste, difficulty with dentures, increased tooth decay and gum disease, and tips for preventing tooth decay and improving oral hygiene.
The Basics of Oral Health and Parkinson’s
Published by Parkinson's Foundation, August 15, 2018
This summary of a Parkinson’s Foundation conference expert panel discussion covers the four 'dreaded Ds' of oral health and how movement-related symptoms present a challenge in PD oral care. Also included are 11 tips that can help with oral health and swallowing problems.
Mouth and Dental Care
Mouth and Dental Issues in Parkinson's
Published by Parkinson's UK, April 2024
This ten-page booklet sumarizes mouth and dental issues common in people with Parkinson’s, including do's and don'ts, information about visiting the dentist, tips for people with natural teeth or dentures, and general tips for good mouth health and avoiding tooth decay.
What's a Simple, Daily Oral Hygiene Plan for People with Parkinson's?
By Davis Phinney Foundation
In this 11-minute video, speech-language pathologist Kathleen Donohue walks you through what to do on a daily basis to keep your mouth (and you) healthy.
Talks with Specialists
Dental Challenges & Parkinson's Disease
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2025
In this 52-minute episode of the APDA Dr. Gilbert Hosts webinar series, Louis Siegelman, DDS, talks about the role of oral pathogens in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, dental treatment for those who have tremor, personal mouth care for those with dexterity issues, dental care for someone with cognitive decline, dental care for medically compromised individuals, and more.
Maintaining & Promoting Oral Health
By Parkinson Social Network, June 2024
In this 50-minute webinar, dentist Rick Jackomis, DDS, discusses the delivery and need for dental care as it pertains to patients with complex medical concerns and aging. Particular focus is on the complexity of care and management of patients with Parkinson's Disease as they present with some unique challenges.
PD and Your Mouth: Preventative and Proactive Dental Care
By PMD Alliance, August 2, 2022
In this one-hour webinar, dentists Sara Maltese, DMD, and Jose Gil, DMD, explore oral hygiene for people living with PD, including periodontal disease, cleaning removable dental appliances, tooth loss and replacement, and more. Also discussed is how to determine the best frequency of dental visits and the pros and cons of various oral health options.
Expert-Level Resources
Medical Management, Orofacial Findings, and Dental Care for the Patient with Parkinson’s Disease
Published by Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, 2021;87:l10
This comprehensive article reviews the symptoms and treatment options of Parkinson's disease before delving into the effects of PD on the orofacial complex, which may result in poor nutritional habits, exacerbating weight loss and contributing to a negative impact on physical, psychosocial and emotional health. It offers practical recommendations for the medical and dental management of patients with PD in accordance with the most recently published clinical practice guidelines.
Last updated September 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.