Dental Care Tips and Recommendations for Senior Citizens
March 29, 2022
Dental care is extremely important for senior citizens. There are many dental health issues that could occur if your elderly loved one isn’t caring for their teeth and mouth. As a family caregiver, you and the home care providers can work with your elderly loved one to ensure they are following each one of these dental care tips and recommendations.
Brush and Floss Twice a Day
The recommendation is that people brush and floss their teeth twice a day. Most people only do these things once a day, if that. You or one of the elder care providers should talk to your elderly loved one to find out how often they are brushing and flossing their teeth. If they aren’t doing it enough, you should find out how they can make this more of a habit or routine. They may need daily reminders from you or their home care providers,
Dentist Appointments
When was the last time your elderly loved one went to the dentist? If it has been more than a year, you or one of the elderly care providers should schedule them an appointment. Once they go to the dentist, they can find out if they should be going more or less often. It will likely be based on the state of their current dental health and other health conditions they may have. There are some health conditions that can worsen the health of teeth and oral health conditions.
Stay Away from Certain Foods and Drinks
Does your elderly loved one drink a lot of soda? Are they eating a lot of sweets such as cookies and cakes? If this is the type of drinks and foods your elderly loved one has a lot of the time, it may be a good idea to help them make a plan for weaning off these things. They don’t necessarily have to give them up completely. However, if they can for the most part, stay away from sugary foods and drinks, that could go a long way in keeping their teeth and mouth healthier.
Conclusion
These are some of the best dental care tips for senior citizens. Remember, it is crucial for elderly people to keep their teeth and mouth as healthy as possible. By following through with these tips, your elderly loved one can prevent a lot of oral and dental health conditions. They can keep their smile looking much better, too.
If you or your loved one is looking for Home Care Santa Cruz, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.
Santa Clara County: (408) 979-9990
San Mateo County: (650) 353-9777
Santa Cruz County: (831) 480-3990
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm