Oral health is important at every age. Not only does good oral health help your elderly loved one eat and talk pain-free, but it’s also a gateway to other possible diseases and infections so maintaining good oral health is very important for your loved one to continue being comfortable and healthy. While taking care of our teeth isn’t anything new, there are some changes your loved one may need to make as she ages to continue with the best care for her teeth and mouth. Personal care at home providers can be of assistance to an elderly loved one to make sure they are maintaining proper oral health.
What Makes Proper Oral Hygiene Care Difficult
Many seniors struggle with maintaining good oral hygiene. It might be because of memory issues and the inability to remember to take the needed steps each day for good oral health care like brushing, flossing, and perhaps cleaning dentures. Poor oral hygiene can also be tied to mobility issues or arthritis, making using a toothbrush or floss difficult. A personal care at home provider can be a great help to anyone struggling with these issues.
Five Oral Care Steps a Personal Care at Home Provider Can Help Your Loved One With
Maintain a regular brushing schedule. Your aging loved one should brush her teeth at least twice daily. Those brushing sessions should last at least two minutes. A personal care at home provider can help your loved one make sure she brushes long enough to remove any food and plaque buildup. If your loved one struggles to hold the toothbrush long enough or reach all areas of her mouth, the personal care at home provider can assist.
Clean the tongue daily. Using a gentle toothbrush, your loved one should complete her daily teeth brushing by brushing her tongue as well. This simple step helps remove bacteria that can cause gum disease and bad breath.
Floss at least once a day. If your loved one still has her teeth, one thing that she may deal with now that she didn’t when she was younger is bigger gaps between the teeth. Those gaps can collect food and create problems if not flossed regularly.
Rinse with mouthwash containing antiseptic properties once or twice a day. A good swishing around of mouthwash can help your loved one reduce bacteria that lead to plaque and gum disease. This might be something your loved one can manage on her own, but if she needs reminders to rinse or needs guidance on spitting it out, a personal care at home provider can ensure this step is completed as well.
Visit the dentist regularly. Now is not the time to start skipping those dental appointments. A regular dental visit doesn’t only check for cavities. A dentist might be the first one to notice a new lump in the mouth or if gum disease has progressed to a level that needs more intense treatment. They will also check the jaw, lips, and areas around the mouth for any concerns. A personal care at home provider can assist your loved one in scheduling her routine appointments as well as providing transportation for her.
Regular dental care can help your aging loved one stay on top of her oral health and make sure any oral health issues are discovered at the early stages so they can be addressed and treated.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home Services in Decatur GA please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (404) 266-8773
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Atlanta, Palmetto, Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Milton, College Park, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Hapeville, Johns Creek, and all of Fulton County.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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