A common misconception when someone has no teeth is that they no longer have to go to the dentist. That might be how your senior feels about the situation, but it is definitely not the case. Even without teeth, she does need to continue visiting her dentist for regular checkups. If she’s got dentures or other dental appliances, her dentist ensures they’re still in good condition and fit properly. Her dentist also watches for other signs of oral health issues.
What does drinking enough water have to do with dental health? A lot more than you might think. If your elderly family member isn’t properly hydrated, she’s more likely to experience issues with dry mouth and irritation in her mouth. Drinking plenty of water can help her to reduce bacteria in her mouth and avoid bad breath. Personal care at home can make it a lot easier for your senior to remember to hydrate.
If your elderly family member has dentures, they need to be cleaned every day. Using a soft brush meant for denture care, brush each surface of the dentures. Don’t use toothpaste, though, because it’s too harsh for dentures. Dentures must soak when they’re not in your elderly family member’s mouth. This keeps them from drying out and cracking.
Your elderly family member can still use a little bit of toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush her tongue and mouth. This helps to remove bacteria that can cause problems with oral health and ensures that her mouth is fresh and clean. Rinsing with mouthwash is another option if your elderly family member’s mouth and gums are too sensitive for gentle brushing. Alcohol-based mouthwashes can be too strong, so look for a mild mouthwash designed to remove bacteria without being overwhelming for sensitive mouths.
There may come a point where your elderly family member needs more help with these tasks. Personal care at home ensures that your elderly family member has the help that she needs to keep her mouth healthy and her dentures and other dental appliances clean and functional. There may be other ways that personal care at home can assist your senior, too, especially if she’s finding that other personal tasks are becoming difficult for her to manage on her own.
Oral care is something that is important for your elderly family member at every single stage of her life. There is never a time when it’s okay to overlook your senior’s teeth and mouth, even if she no longer has her own teeth.
If you are considering personal care at home in Brooklyn, NY, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of NYC today at 212-201-6139.
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