Blog > Six Benefits to Having Elder Care Help With Oral Hygiene

Six Benefits to Having Elder Care Help With Oral Hygiene

World Oral Health Day is celebrated around the world on March 20th. The FDI World Dental Federation created it to bring awareness of oral health’s importance. Gum disease and tooth loss impact many other aspects of a person’s overall health.

Do your parents have a harder time taking care of their teeth through proper brushing, flossing, and diet? Here are six benefits to having elder care providers helping your parents with oral care.

They Embrace Better Oral Care

Your mom and dad may have difficulty holding a toothbrush properly or reaching into their mouth to floss their teeth. Caregivers help with personal care tasks like brushing and flossing teeth.

After the teeth are clean, the caregiver can give your parents a small portion of fluoride mouthwash to rinse with. That helps strengthen enamel and aid in oral health.

It Increases Self-Esteem and Confidence

When your parents experience poor oral care, bad breath and missing teeth impact self-esteem. It can make them feel less confident around others, which affects socialization. With healthy teeth and gums, they may want to engage with others more than they used to.

The Risk of Chronic Health Conditions Lowers

Gum disease and poor oral care increase the risk of some chronic health conditions. Medical researchers have found links between poor oral health and conditions like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart disease.

They Eat Healthier Foods

Gum disease and tooth decay are less likely to occur when the diet avoids high-sugar foods. Elder care providers can cook meals that focus on healthy foods like fresh vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains.

Your parents won’t rely on processed heat-and-eat foods that are contain added sugar. Caregivers can also help them read nutrition labels in the grocery store to ensure they’re avoiding sugary ingredients like fructose, corn syrup, and rice syrup.

Caregivers also help your parents choose beverages like herbal tea or seltzer that do not contain added sweeteners. In addition to helping with oral care, sugary drinks are also linked to diabetes and heart disease.

They Have Help Cleaning Dental Appliances

Do your mom and dad have dental appliances like bridges or dentures? Caregivers can help them take care of those appliances by reminding them how to wash them when they remove them before going to bed.

Appointment Scheduling Is Easier

Elder care aides can schedule your mom and dad’s dental check-ups. Instead of taking the day off to take them to their dentist, the caregiver can drive them for you. You’ll get an update on how things went and when the next appointment is.

When dexterity and grip are impacted by chronic health conditions like arthritis or dementia, your parents don’t need to ignore oral care. Elder care aides can help them with brushing and flossing. Call an elder care specialist to learn more about personal care and hygiene services.