The reasons to take care of oral health seem obvious – avoiding toothaches, tooth loss, and cavities. Most elderly people are well aware of the important reasons for visiting their dental office at least twice a year, but unfortunately, many of them put their oral care on the back burner. It might be because of other health issues that seem more important to address, financial concerns, or even just forgetfulness. As a caregiver of an elderly loved one, encouraging them to regularly care for their teeth and mouth will be one of the many things you may need to provide constant reminders for.
Six Common Oral Health Care Issues for the Elderly
Root Decay
While root decay will eventually lead to pain, a regular visit to the dentist can help your loved one know if this is an issue before it gets to a point that has other consequences. Root decay is more common in the elderly because roots become exposed as gums recede and roots do not have the protective enamel that the upper portions of the teeth do, making them more likely to decay if not cleaned properly.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is common in elderly adults. It occurs when food and bacteria cause plaque. If your loved one smokes, it increases her risk of developing gum disease. Certain health conditions may also increase her risk.
Mouth Inflammation
If your loved one has dentures, she will still need to stay on top of cleaning them and her mouth regularly. Poorly fitted dentures can cause inflammation and pain for your loved one, thus leading to discomfort and avoidance of cleaning those areas of her mouth due to pain. The dentist can help make sure her dentures fit properly and a home care provider can assist in making sure they are well cared for once your loved one is at home.
Tooth loss
Your loved one may lose a tooth due to gum disease or damage to a tooth due to an injury. Tooth loss can make eating some foods difficult or impossible and often leads to further tooth loss. Teeth need the presence of other teeth to keep each other healthy.
Dry Mouth
Medications and medical treatments can often lead to dry mouth. Saliva has an important role in moistening and cleansing the mouth. It also assists in digestion. Without enough saliva, the mouth becomes more at risk of having bacteria and fungi get out of control and cause oral health concerns.
Thrush
While thrush is often connected with infants, it can also occur commonly in those with weakened immune systems. If your loved one has dentures, yeast infections caused by the candida fungus might cause white bumps to appear in the mouth.
A Home Care Provider Can Help
Having a regular home care provider work with your loved one can be an important member of your care team. A home care provider can help with reminders to brush, floss, and even attend regular dental visits. If your loved one needs assistance getting to and from her appointments, a home care provider can help with transportation as well.
Staying on top of regular oral care can help your loved one manage some common oral health care issues for those in their later years.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care in Oyster Bay, NY, please contact the caring staff at Help at Home today at (631) 859-3435
Help at Home is a top provider of home care services in Islip, Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown, Brookhaven, Hempstead & Oyster Bay, and surrounding areas on Long Island & NYC. We serve Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.
Whether you or a loved one is recuperating from an illness or a senior requiring care, we can help. Help at Home is committed to providing quality home care at affordable rates. Helping a patient remain in the comfort and security of their home is our goal. We are the best alternative to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Help at Home caregivers
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