Ways Seniors Can Take Better Care Of Their Teeth
Did you know that dental health can play a big role in physical health for seniors? It’s true. If your senior is having issues with their dental health, senior home care providers can work with them with these suggestions here for better dental health. When seniors neglect their dental hygiene it can cause a lot of health problems including:
- Infections
- Tooth loss
- Gum disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Dry mouth
- Stomatitis
- Thrush
Brushing, flossing, and maintaining good dental hygiene are often harder for older adults. Gripping a small toothbrush, trying to floss, and bending over the sink can all be difficult for seniors who have pain and stiffness or poor manual dexterity.
But there are some things that seniors can do to improve their dental hygiene like:
Get Regular Cleanings
Seniors should be getting dental cleanings at least twice a year. Professional dental cleanings help control plaque that can cause gum disease and other problems. If your senior parent has trouble brushing and flossing regular dental cleanings will help prevent infections.
Even if your senior parent has no natural teeth they should see a dentist at least once a year to check for gum disease and make sure their dentures are fitting correctly. If your senior parent needs help getting to the dentist senior home care can help.
Eat “Tooth Cleaning” Foods
Seniors can also eat foods that help prevent plaque and gum disease by gently scraping the teeth and boosting the immune system to prevent infections. Some foods that dentists recommend seniors eat for their dental health are:
- Carrots
- Apples
- Celery sticks
- Popcorn
- Cucumbers
- Pears
- Lettuce
- Cheese
These foods can act like “dental detergents” and keep the teeth and gums bacteria-free.
Use A Good Mouthwash
If your senior parent has dry mouth because of medications, breathing problems, allergies, or other causes that can make them prone to dental problems. Over-the-counter mouthwashes often contain alcohol, which can make the mouth even drier. Medicated mouthwashes that are extra-hydrating can help get rid of dry mouth. Ask your senior parent’s dentist for mouthwash recommendations.
Drink More Water
One of the best things seniors can do for better dental health is also one of the easiest. Drinking water and staying hydrated will help seniors produce more saliva. And saliva will keep the mouth cleaner and healthier. If your senior parent isn’t drinking enough water having senior home care can help. A senior home care provider can encourage your senior parent to drink water throughout the day.
Clean Dentures Regularly
If your senior parent wears dentures those dentures need to be cleaned regularly with denture cleaner. Make sure your senior is washing their dentures with actual denture cleaner that will kill bacteria so that your senior parent doesn’t develop an infection from dirty dentures.
If your senior parent forgets to clean their dentures or doesn’t get them clean enough senior home care can help. A senior home care provider can make sure that your senior parent is cleaning their dentures daily with a quality denture cleaner. And if your senior parent complains that their dentures are hurting them or aren’t fitting correctly make an appointment with their dentist to get the dentures checked.
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-care-seniors
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care Services in Warner Robins GA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, Gray, Milledgeville, Forsyth, Cochran, Jeffersonville, Eastman, Fort Valley, and the surrounding areas.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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