Dental Care Tips for Senior Citizens

This is the time of year we are looking forward to candy on Halloween, big meals on Thanksgiving, and family dinner for Christmas. But where does that leave your teeth? Many seniors forget how important it is to focus on dental hygiene as they age. However, seniors must keep a routine need to maintain a consistent dental hygiene routine, too. Here are a few important oral health tips and how companion care at home can help with them.

Never Stop Brushing Or Flossing

If you’ve been taking good care of your teeth your whole life, you know the fundamentals already: brush and floss twice daily. Some alterations may be made to these two fundamentals despite their continued significance as you mature. You should treat your teeth and gums gently since they have endured a lot just by being alive. Plaque becomes more stubborn and more rapidly accumulates in people over 50.

Something that may help your seniors stick to a brushing and flossing routine is to have them switch to an electric toothbrush with very soft bristles. Companion care at home may also help remind them to floss after each meal to keep the bacteria down.

Use Mouthwash But Be Careful

A strategy change may be required if you have been using mouthwash many times daily. While it’s true that using mouthwash regularly may help reduce the likelihood of developing cavities or plaque, it also has the potential to alter the mouth’s pH and lead to dry mouth. While dealing with an elderly person, you should exercise caution when using mouthwash due to the prevalence of dry mouth in this demographic. You just need to give your teeth and gums a quick rinse before night. Also, you might benefit from trying something that doesn’t include alcohol.

Implants and Dentures

Dentures may not be your best choice if you’ve lost teeth and are looking into replacing them. In many cases, dental implants might be a far better option than traditional dentures. Implants are a permanent solution that mimics the appearance of your natural teeth without the risk. Implants stabilize your jaw bone, improving your chewing, and protecting your jaw joints from damage. Consult your dentist for advice tailored to your needs.

Dentures need special attention to hygiene. Dentures need daily cleaning with a denture-cleaning solution. In addition, you should remove your dentures and rest your mouth often. It is recommended that dentures be removed from the mouth for at least four hours every day (when sleeping is ideal).

Watch for Medication Side Effects

What, if any, drugs do you take? Maybe they’re making your mouth dry, which might be bad for your teeth. If you suffer from dry mouth, you should know that it’s not only an irritation; it may also be harmful to your oral health since it makes it easier for plaque to stick to your teeth and speed up the progression of cavities and gum disease. Keep an eye out for any changes to your mouth, teeth, and gums after beginning a new medicine. If you’re experiencing any symptoms related to your medication, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately.

Focus On Drinking Water

If you’re thirsty, choose water instead of soda. Regular citrus fruit juices and sodas contain a lot of sugar. Consuming an excessive amount of sugary beverages may lead to a decrease in dental enamel, the development of cavities, and even tooth loss. If you want to help out your mouth, ditch the sugary drinks and drink plenty of water instead. There are many positive effects on one’s health by regularly consuming water. Water is a natural preventative for dry mouth and will help rinse away acids in your mouth.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-care-seniors

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Scottsdale, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!