Dental Hygiene Month for the Elderly

Dental Hygiene Month for the Elderly

Genesis Home Care, LLC believes that the importance of proper dental hygiene never diminishes in our lifetime. However, as we age, we tend to neglect our oral health. So let’s go over some facts on dental hygiene and particularly our elderly population. We must start off with mentioning that dental health is just as important as taking care of our hearts, blood sugar, blood pressure and all other medical conditions and health precautions. Teeth are bones just like other bones in your body, but they are exposed to foreign objects and different elements that we introduce to them on a daily basis over the course of our lives. As such we must respect them by cleaning them. The obvious consequence to neglecting your mouth is bad breath or something like gingivitis. But! What else can oral neglect create and foster?

To start let’s begin with the “aesthetic” reasons. Smiling is wonderful act and foster’s good health and it is usually contagious producing a smile in someone else. I view people who smile a lot as generous people who are delivering a joyous option into other peoples day. It is great to produce a well groomed set of teeth to compliment your wonderful smile. We keep our teeth from turning a dark tinged color by practicing proper cleanings and good oral health. Darkened teeth comes from the years of wear and tear we place on our teeth and the coloring from beverages and foods we eat. But oral health gets much more serious than color change. Tooth loss, gum disease, root decay, and inflammation are also results of improper oral health and can lead to other bodily health issues.

Periodontitis–
Periodontitis is inflammation of the gums and the supporting structures that hold the teeth. It is caused by the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Not only will you have pain in the immediate area, periodontitis has been linked to a variety of other major illnesses such as, increased inflammation throughout the body, increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction (aka heart attack), atherosclerosis, memory and calculation hinderances, blood glucose issues and even erectile dysfunction.

A neglect of oral health has also been linked to Pneumonia. The lack of proper cleaning can lead to bacteria in the mouth being breathed into the lungs increasing the chances of Pneumonia, with senior citizens being more susceptible.

Most objects that end up in our mouths get a there from our own desirable taste buds being answered. When we don’t properly brush and clean those particles of food left behind they turn into plaque which will eventually develop into gum disease. Smoking and tobacco products also contribute to gum disease along with tooth decay and tooth loss. For great oral health information click here.

Root decay as it sounds is decay of the gum exposing the root. The root begins to decay from the exposure of acids from food. Our goal is to maintain a healthy mouth and preventing our teeth from getting to this stage.

People who have experienced a loss of teeth have to be extremely cautious not to develop uneven jawbone and denture-induced stomatitis. Uneven jawbone happens as a result of shifting teeth moving into the newly open areas of your mouth, creating an uneven jawbone.

Denture-Induced Stomatitis which happens after you get denture’s is a very uncomfortable inflammation of the gums. It is caused by poorly fitted dentures, bad hygiene and Candida albicans (what is Candida Albicans? – click here). Talk to your dentist on proper care and maintenance of your dentures, and if you have any questions or concerns be sure to express them with your dentist.

Oral Hygiene tips:
The most common protectorate of oral health is to brush your teeth, but are you aware you should brush at least twice daily. You can also add in chewing a sugar-free gum after meals. Chewing sugar free gum allows for the activation/production of saliva. Saliva is our natural defense mechanism against acid buildup that is produced by foods we eat. So, a stick of gum (sugar-free) after a meal is a good go between until we can brush our teeth properly. We should also incorporate flossing once a day, and rinsing our mouth’s with an antiseptic mouthwash.

A visit to the dentist for a professional cleaning and checkup is also needed. It will allow your dentist to alert you of anything early on in its formation. If your oral health is in a good condition than a visit to the dentist can be spaced 12-24 months apart. However, if you are having issues you should make an appointment and then follow the dentist’s recommendations for follow-ups. The goal is to maintain a healthy mouth from year to year regardless of age. Keep in mind that a healthy oral mouth can help with a healthier you.

Disclaimer: This article is intended as a friendly reminder with recommendations. It is not medical advice, direction or prescription of any sort. Please refer to professional services for any health-related questions, concerns and relief.