Easy Ways Seniors Can Prevent Dental Diseases

One of the best things that seniors can do to stay healthy is take care of their oral health. Seniors who have dental disease like periodontitis or oral infections have a higher risk of strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, and serious infections that can be hard to treat. October is National Dental Hygiene Month, so now is the perfect time to help your senior parent start doing more to protect their health. One way to help make sure that your senior parent is brushing and flossing daily is to get personal care at home services for them.

Personal Care at Home Wayne, NJ – Easy Ways Seniors Can Prevent Dental Diseases

Taking care of their oral hygiene may be difficult for your senior parent. As seniors get older, it can be painful or difficult for them to try and grip a toothbrush, use dental floss, or get the cap on and off toothpaste. If you have noticed that your senior parent seems to be slacking on their dental care, you should step in to help. Don’t wait for them to bring it up.

One of the most important things seniors should be doing to protect their oral health is seeing the dentist regularly. It’s usually recommended that seniors get two full dental cleanings per year and an annual exam. Seniors who have conditions like diabetes may need to see the dentist even more frequently. If your senior parent hasn’t gotten their teeth cleaned professionally or seen a dentist lately, make them an appointment today.

When seniors start to have trouble doing tasks like washing up, brushing their teeth, and getting dressed, it’s time for personal care at home. Care providers can help your parent with delicate tasks like showering and brushing their teeth while maintaining their dignity.

Other things that can help your senior parent maintain good oral health and avoid dental diseases are:

Stay Hydrated

Many seniors experience dry mouth, which can cause oral problems. Medications for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease may cause dry mouth as a side effect.

When the mouth doesn’t make enough saliva, teeth are more likely to decay because saliva helps wash away food and bacteria.
Seniors can prevent this by drinking water regularly throughout the day. Sipping water during meals also helps with swallowing and rinses the mouth naturally. Sugar-free lozenges or chewing sugar-free gum can also encourage saliva flow.

Choose Tooth-Friendly Foods

To prevent tooth decay, cavities, and other dental issues, seniors should be eating foods that will strengthen and clean their teeth. Foods rich in calcium, like milk, yogurt, and cheese, help protect tooth enamel.

Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, naturally clean the teeth and stimulate saliva production. Avoiding sticky candies and sodas also makes a big difference.

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking and heavy alcohol use are major risk factors for gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer. Tobacco products dry out the mouth, stain teeth, and weaken the gums, making them more likely to get infected.

Alcohol can also cause dry mouth and irritation. Seniors who quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption reduce their chances of serious dental problems. Some studies show that ex-smokers can start to see big improvements in their health in just a few months after quitting.

Protect Teeth with Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps rebuild tooth enamel and prevents decay. Many seniors may not realize that using fluoride regularly is just as important later in life as it was in childhood.

These days, many places no longer add fluoride to tap water. And, many seniors drink purified or bottled water, so they need another source of fluoride. Ask your senior parent’s dentist to recommend a fluoride rinse that your senior parent can use to help protect their teeth from cavities.

If you or a senior family member is considering hiring Personal Care at Home Services in Wayne, NJ, please get in touch with the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC.

Providing in-home senior care, servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today at (973) 427-3553.