Your elderly parent is getting up there in age. Although you are unable to care for them on your own, you want to give them the best you can. In assisted living, they can socialize, have meals prepared for them, and enjoy other benefits. While assisted living facilities often offer personal hygiene services, you should definitely make sure your loved one’s oral health isn’t neglected. Keep reading to learn why senior oral health matters and what needs to be done to ensure it.
Why Oral Health Is Important
As a person ages, the risk of tooth loss and oral infection rises substantially. About 70 percent of adults over the age of 65 have gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss, and more than 27 percent of this same group of people have no natural teeth left at all.
But why is this a problem that needs to be addressed? Without strong teeth, seniors are less able to eat nutritious foods, which can drastically affect their quality and length of life. In addition, research has shown countless times the damaging effects that gum disease can have throughout the body. Those with untreated gum disease are significantly more likely to develop heart disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s or dementia, and many more life-threatening conditions.
How to Promote Strong Smiles in Seniors
Needless to say, caregivers can play a huge role in keeping seniors’ smiles in healthy shape. Here are the ways seniors can have strong oral health!
Daily Cleaning
Whether an elderly person has a full set of natural teeth or none at all, their mouth still needs to be cleaned every day. Soaking dentures overnight in cleanser can help prevent plaque buildup that could infect or inflame gums. If they have healthy teeth, brushing and flossing needs to be part of the everyday routine for senior, with possible assistance from the caregiver.
Healthy Diet
Sugar encourages bacterial growth in the mouth, which means that by limiting how much sugar a senior consumes every day, you reduce the bacteria that could damage their smile. On the other hand, there are plenty of nutrient-rich foods that help right infection and inflammation that seniors can enjoy and improve their quality of life.
Regular Dental Visits
Even if a senior has no teeth, seeing the dentist regularly is still important. Not only can this trained professional clear away plaque buildup, but they can also catch and treat infection as early as possible—before it can do damage to the rest of the body.
Replacing Missing Teeth
Those who have lost one or more teeth need to consider replacement. Otherwise, their diet choices are extremely limited, which can affect their lifespan. Having a full set of teeth can also give seniors more confidence and improve their mental well-being.
While independent seniors can likely maintain their own oral health, those in assisted living facilities or living with caregivers may require more attention. If you are a caregiver or a loved one of a senior, make sure that oral health is on the list of essential tasks so that those in your care can enjoy a healthier, happier lifestyle.
About the Practice
Serving the Westhampton area and beyond, Beach Dental welcomes patients of all ages. During her postgraduate residency, Dr. Alexis Gersten spent most of her time treating geriatric patients and developed a passion for helping this particular group achieve oral health. In his continuing education coursework, Dr. Jason Parli has focused on dental implants and other advanced procedures to meet the needs of our patients. If you are or know of a senior who needs personalized care, contact our practice online or by calling 631-325-0731.