Among the many changes seniors must deal with as they grow older are changes in their dental health. Because of this, maintaining good dental hygiene becomes more crucial, especially as seniors deal with tooth loss, which affects not only their general quality of life but also their ability to eat and speak comfortably. With elder care providers providing support, seniors can better understand the need for focused dental care as well as their options when it comes to tooth loss.
Understanding Tooth Loss in Seniors
An injury, gum disease, decay, or just plain wear and tear over time can all lead to tooth loss, which is a regular occurrence in seniors. In fact, almost one-third of adults have lost all of their teeth by the age of 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to the obvious functional ramifications, seniors who experience tooth loss may experience serious emotional and psychological effects as well. For many seniors, they may lose confidence and self-worth as a result of physical changes, speech and chewing difficulties, and other issues.
What Obstacles Do Seniors Face?
The following are some of the variables that make it difficult for seniors to manage tooth loss and maintain good oral health:
Limited Access to Dental Treatment: Due to budgetary limitations, a lack of transportation, or mobility problems, many seniors may not have regular access to dental treatment. Elder care can help with the transportation part of this, making sure seniors get to their appointments consistently.
Medical Conditions: Seniors may have oral health issues and difficulty receiving dental care if they have long-term medical diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis.
Polypharmacy: Many seniors take multiple medications at one time, which might cause dry mouth and raise the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Cognitive Decline: Seniors suffering from cognitive impairments may find it difficult to maintain proper dental hygiene or identify oral health issues, which may result in postponing necessary medical intervention.
Helping Elderly People Who Are Losing Their Teeth
Even though losing teeth can be quite difficult, there are a number of strategies that elder care can implement to help seniors deal with this problem successfully:
Frequent Dental Visits: As mentioned, elder care can help ensure seniors attend their dental visits. This is key for monitoring oral health and swiftly addressing any concerns.
Adequate Dental Hygiene: It’s important for seniors to understand the value of practicing proper dental hygiene, which includes using fluoride mouthwash, brushing twice a day, and flossing frequently.
Nutrition Counseling: Elder care can assist seniors in creating a balanced diet that enhances general health and dental health. For instance, seniors who have trouble chewing could benefit from soft or pureed foods.
Senior dental care necessitates a comprehensive strategy that takes into account both the psychological and physiological facets of oral health. By understanding the difficulties related to tooth loss and investigating the available support resources, elder care can enable seniors to preserve their dental health and enhance their general standard of living.
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/tooth-loss/index.html
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-seniors-guide-to-dental-care
https://www.northernkentuckydentalcare.com/blog/dental-care-for-seniors/
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Memphis TN please contact the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (901) 300-8576
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Hernando, Olive Branch, Arlington, Atoka, Southaven, Bartlett, Marion, Shelby County, and surrounding areas.
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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