Guide to Dental Health for the Elderly

As someone gets older dental health may not be at the top of their list of priorities. Care may just be limited to daily brushing, and not keeping noticing changes, especially for someone in the early stages of dementia. However, it is important that the teeth are correctly cared for and maintained, this may require more maintenance than in previous years. 

Why is it Important for Elderly People to Keep Their Teeth Healthy?

It is important to look after your teeth at every age, however, wear and tear that comes with age can cause enamel deterioration which can make the teeth more susceptible to tooth decay and damage. 

How does dental care need to be changed as you get older?

After decades of teeth being used every day, it is only natural that they will need a little extra attention to remain healthy. 

Pay Attention to Gum Disease Symptoms 

As a person ages it becomes more likely that they will develop gum disease. This is due in part to the fact that it can take a long time to develop, and because the mouth starts to produce less saliva. A reduction of saliva in the mouth means food debris can remain stuck in the teeth for a longer period of time and lead to infection. This means you will need to be looking out for the symptoms of gum disease which can lead to tooth loss and even harm the bones in your jaw. 

Common gum diseases symptoms are as follows:

• Receding gums
• Bleeding when brushing
• Bad breath
• Teeth becoming loose 

In order to prevent gum disease the teeth should be brushed twice a day and flossed at least once a day. Gum disease can also be prevented by regular dentist visits, drinking enough water and quitting smoking.

Drinking enough water

As mentioned previously, older people naturally produce less saliva, and often this can be exacerbated by medication. Saliva can contribute to keeping teeth clean and preventing decay, so it is important to drink enough water. It can also be beneficial when drinking water to hold it in your mouth for a few seconds or give it a swill. 

You can also make your salivary glands work hard by chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets.

Be Aware of Acid

Did you know that fizzy drinks and some fruit juices contain acid which can wear away the defensive enamel on your teeth and leave your teeth more susceptible to cavities and decay? As well as this, foods that are sugary or starchy can cause the mount to naturally produce acid. 

Apart from cutting down on these foods, it can be beneficial to make an effort not to swish them around your mouth or drink the aforementioned drinks with a straw. As well as this, following acidic food, or foods that promote acid in the mouth with cheese or milk can cancel out the effects of acid on the enamel. 

Know the Symptoms of Oral Cancers

As a person ages the likelihood of developing cancers of the throat, mouth, tongue and lips can increase. Pain is often a later symptom, so instead, your loved one should be visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups, as well as keeping an eye out for red or white patches, sores, and any changes in the mouth. 

Ways to decrease the risk of oral cancers are to stop smoking, only drink alcohol in moderation, and wear sunscreen and lip balm outside.

What Impact Can Deteriorating Dental Health Have on the Elderly?

There are a number of ways that poor dental health can impact elderly people

Difficulty Eating

The most obvious issue that can come from missing teeth or toothache associated with poor dental health is difficulty eating certain foods. When someones mouth is in pain it is more difficult to consume many vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables which will have a negative impact on overall health for the elderly person with dental issues. It can also reduce the volume of foods consumed, leading to malnutrition and therefore a weaker immune system. 

Poor Sleep Quality

The pain caused by poor dental health in the elderly can lead to difficulty falling and staying asleep. Pain in a certain area of the mouth can make it difficult to fall asleep in preferred positions and chronic pain can lead to waking up frequently during the night. What’s more, the mouth produces excess saliva during sleep, saliva which can help with cleansing the mouth and reducing the risk of dental issues, so not getting a proper night’s sleep further reduces saliva in the mouth and can exacerbate dental problems in the elderly. 

Reduced Socialisation  

One of the early signs of gum disease is halitosis. Halitosis is a difficult to prevent form of bad breath and is caused by a buildup of plaque. Being aware of this can cause people to become less social out of embarrassment. For the elderly, socialisation is so important for maintaining cognitive health as well as mental health, so anything that jeopardises this should be dealt with. 

How Can Bernash Care Home Help?

At Bernash Care Home the health and well-being of our residents are at the forefront of everything we do. Being such a small, close-knit home with a family feel, our team gets to know the residents well and will easily notice behaviour outside of the usual. This means problems with dental health will be noticed early on and our care team can organise dentist visits or visits to any other health specialist which may be needed.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help your elderly loved one then get in contact today. We also welcome visits to the home so you can meet the team for yourself.