Dental Care Tips For The Elderly - What They Should Know About Dental Hygiene

Today's senior citizens retain more of their real teeth than in the past and may therefore experience more dental disease as a result. Part of the problem for the elderly is a difficulty in accessing dental care or staying a regular dental routine. Lack of dental care is now known to contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and oral cancer. Studies show that the elderly are less likely to contract pneumonia if they brush their teeth for five minutes per day.

Some seniors can no longer perform dental hygiene and must rely on a caregiver. Caregivers should move slowly all the while explaining what they are doing step by step. Have them sitting up or you can have them lay their head in your lap. Lying the senior on his or her side is another option. Use a dental stick with foam on the end along with a spray bottle of mouthwash to dislodge any food in stuck in the mouth. Then wash the teeth with a soft bristle brush for about five minutes. Be sure to brush all eating surfaces of the teeth and also use a tongue scraper on the back of the tongue. Afterward have the senior rinse out his or her mouth with mouthwash.

Flossing is still very important at this age and probably the best way to do it is to introduce them to an automatic flosser. Otherwise it will be necessary to do it by hand. It is done the usual way, in a zigzag motion between the teeth. And under the gum line. If the senior wears dentures, then brush the gums and the roof of the mouth before setting the dentures in place. Clean the dentures once a day and send them out for repair if they should break. Check for signs of gum disease such as bleeding, chipped teeth, or red and swollen gum. Observe the fit of the dentures since a severe weight loss and loose fitting dentures can be a sign of something way more serious. Loss of taste and very bad breath are also indications of something wrong. Contact the dentist immediately at the first sign of their problems.

It is also important to allow the senior independence in taking care of himself or herself. Some things that you can do would be to use a wide elastic band to gently strap the toothbrush to the senior's hand. Or maybe the grip is not as strong as it used to be. Attach a sponge or bike handle grip or rubber ball to the end of the toothbrush. Be sure to replace the toothbrush every three months.

Dementia and emotional illnesses will sometimes proof a difficulty in proving oral care. One possible way to accomplish this is to do a tag team on the senior with one starting the procedure and the other caregiver finishing the procedure. It will seem like two short procedures rather than one long trying situation for the senior who suffers.