Keeping your senior’s teeth in good working order is about more than just helping her to have a healthy mouth. Good dental health affects every part of your senior’s overall health.
Double Check How Often She’s Seeing Her Dentist
Is your elderly family member seeing her dentist twice a year, or is she stretching the time in-between visits? A lot of older adults may start to neglect dental care, for a variety of reasons. But if your senior’s teeth aren’t in good condition, that affects her ability to take in nutrients and can also affect other aspects of her health, like contributing to heart disease. So it is important that you have an idea of when she last visited her dentist.
Consider Getting an Electric Toothbrush
Lots of factors can keep your senior from being able to brush as well or as long as she needs to in order to get her teeth properly cleaned. Switching from a manual toothbrush to an electric one can be a great solution. Many electric toothbrushes have larger handles, which can make them easier to grip. It’s also helpful that most electric toothbrushes have timers, some with 30-second timers that remind your senior to switch to another quadrant of her mouth.
Help Her Set a New Habit to Brush After Meals
If your elderly family member doesn’t already brush after every meal, it can be a good idea to get that habit started. You can even do that together, which can make it more fun and a little less odd for your senior. This is so helpful because many aging adults deal with dry mouth, so leftover food bits are able to do even more plaque forming in between meals. Removing those as soon as possible is really helpful.
Try Mouthwash or Saltwater Rinses After Brushing
Rinsing after brushing can also be helpful. Some aging adults find that mouthwash is refreshing, but it might be too much for your senior. If that’s the case, rinsing with a saltwater rinse can be less harsh and it can still kill off bacteria and leave your senior’s mouth feeling fresher. Alcohol-free mouthwash is the best choice, especially if your senior experiences dry mouth frequently.
If dental care is getting more difficult for your senior to handle on her own, she might benefit from having elder care providers assisting her. They can ensure that she’s getting her teeth brushed properly and that any dental issues are handled as quickly as possible.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Caregiver in Cupertino, CA, please contact the caring staff at Reachpoint Home Care & Resources Inc. today. (408) 692-4110
