What You Should Do to Protect an Older Loved One’s Dental Health

People mostly believe that as you age, losing your teeth is inevitable. But that is a kind of misconception and not always true. If the caretaker of an older person takes good dental care, their dental health can be maintained, and their teeth can last a lifetime.

If you are the primary caretaker to a loved one aging, then their dental care should be something you would need to think about. Good preventive care can mellow down the impact of dental health problems, and your elderly family member can enjoy healthier oral health overall.

This article will share some tips on how you can help your older loved ones keep oral issues away and lead healthier and happier lives.

Changes in Dental Regions As You Age

With age, your mouth changes, and the nerves in your teeth can get smaller. This makes your teeth less sensitive to cavities and other dental issues. Hence a regular dental examination is a must for older adults since such problems might go undiagnosed for a long time until it is too late. Some older people can also develop oral cancer if things are not cared for at an early stage.

Things to Consider For A Good Oral Health Of Older Adults

Let us see what common issues are faced by an aging person are and how you can prevent them:

• Difficulty in maintaining hygiene – Older people have an increased risk of joint problems such as arthritis, making brushing and floss difficult for them. Switching them to an electric toothbrush can also be a great option as they do not have to move around with their hands much for proper cleaning. Give them a water flosser which is a device that can remove plaque by using pressurized water spray. This could be much more convenient to them than thread flossing.
• Drying of mouth – A problem called Xerostomia (chronic dry mouth) is prevalent in older populations. A dry mouth not just causes discomfort but also diminishes the amount of acid-neutralizing saliva in the mouth. This results in dental issues like tooth decay or gum disease called periodontitis. You can discuss with their doctor alternative solutions or medications to increase saliva flow. You should also encourage your older loved ones to drink lots of water and make them use products that boost saliva flow.
• Use of Dentures – If the older person you care for wears dentures, ensure that there is regular cleaning and maintenance of these appliances. This will maximize their function and also reduce bacteria which might cause diseases. Older people also suffer from chronic jawbone loss, which can loosen their denture fits with time. You must take them for dental visits to make sure the dentures fit snugly in their mouth. The dentist might need to realign or replace dentures so that a proper fit and function are maintained.
• Osteoporosis – This disease causes weakening of the bone structure and is very common in older people. To treat this, they are often given bisphosphonates, a drug that slows the effect of osteoporosis and causes complications when certain dental procedures are performed. In such cases, it is better to let your loved one go through the dental procedure before starting their osteoporosis medications.

Those who take care of an older loved one must be alert for any signs of dental distress like teeth spotting or yellowing, bleeding gums, etc. Regular dental cleanings and dental visits, oral cancer screenings, etc., are some of the proactive actions which can prevent gum and teeth problems in your elderly family member.

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