Poor Oral Health in the Elderly

Poor oral health in the Elderly is something that doesn’t occur overnight but rather it develops over many years and isn’t picked up by family or professionals until a major issue arises.

As we age, some oral daily living skills become more difficult to do due to health issues, infirmity, and lack of energy or depression. The gradual decline in how oral health is done begins the process of creating an unhealthy mouth environment that not only can affect the senior with pain, swelling and difficulty eating but also may lead to medical issues – some of which could lead to death.

Mouth infections, while making eating unpleasant, are also dangerous to a person’s health, especially if his or her immune system is weakened due to a nutritional deficiency. Broken teeth, missing teeth, lack of ability to grind or bite, and lessened jaw strength can all lead to not eating well and, ultimately, malnutrition.

As we age, our sense of smell and taste change too. We find that things we used to love to eat don’t smell or taste as good. This might mean we can’t tell when food has gone bad or is unfit to eat. Often, senior adults compensate for this loss of taste by eating sweeter and/or saltier foods.

When seniors eat more foods that are sweet and/or saltier and they are regressing in their oral hygiene skills, the residue of these foods are left in the mouth longer and may create or grow into an oral health problem. This is especially trying for seniors who produce less saliva as they age.

Many senior adults are not eating correctly because they forget or don’t bother to wear their dentures, or the dentures don’t fit properly. If a person has lost weight, it may mean his or her dentures need to be adjusted. The senior adult may not know to do this, may not have transportation, or may not want to spend the money.

Due to the cost of dental care, which is not covered by insurance for the majority of senior adults, many individuals don’t receive routine preventive dental care.

Key oral health areas to address are:

- teeth are healthy,

- dentures are fixed and fit correctly,

- dentures and gums are getting brushed/cleaned,

- there are no sore spots on the gums,

- heat and cold are not a problem, and

- make sure your senior gets regular dental checkups

Checklist for assessing the oral health skills of seniors:

• Is s/he brushing teeth at least daily?

• Ask specifically about the brushing routine and how the task is done.

• Is the task done well?

• Try to gather what ‘done well’ means to the senior.

• Are the right materials/supplies used?

• What products and tools are used, how and how often are they replaced (i.e. tooth brush, denture cleaner, floss, etc.)

• When was the last time the toothbrush was replaced?

• Explain how often it should be replaced and what type to use. A free brush is always welcome.

• Is s/he wearing dental devices as required?

• Do not assume that a senior is caring for or using their dental devices properly. Ask how and have them demonstrate it to us.

• Are any dentures, plates, or other oral devices cleaned daily and properly?

• Do not assume that dental devices are being cleaned properly, even if they obviously tell you the right products they are using and such. Ask for details and even have them show you what they do.

• Are all oral devices, dentures, and teeth in good repair?

• Do not assume the senior will tell you if there is problem. Many seniors come from a background of not complaining about things. Also, due to medications or health issues, the senior may physically or mentally be able to tell you if there is a problem.

• Does the senior have regular dental appointments?

Schedule the next routine appointment immediately after the appointment and write it down on an appointment card (consider ordering large ones that have large print and can be put on the frig.) and ask if the senior has their calendar with them. If the senior has their calendar with them, write the appointment in the calendar for them. Also call the senior a week in advance of their appointment as a reminder to arrange transportation and then again the day before the appointment.

As more seniors live longer lives, the majority would like to preserve their teeth for as long as possible but as shown, there are many obstacles that may go undetected that could prevent this.

It is important for Boomers caring for their aging parents to understand how they can help monitor their elderly parent’s oral health, for seniors to understand how the aging process can create unforeseen obstacles preventing good oral health and for dental professionals to understand how the overall aging process affects how a senior’s oral health can change. Dental professionals also need to be more aware of assessing the larger picture, while paying more attention to the details too, of a senior’s oral health needs.

I am proud to say that portions of this article and the entire checklist was deemed worthy enough to be published in the Academy of General Dentistry, November 2010 edition of their newsletter, IMPACT.

Tonia Boterf – The Practical Expert® – Help with Aging Parents is a certified life coach, holistic health practitioner and L.S.W. who provides life coaching services at http://ift.tt/1OjtcZ9 (617-895-0249) for Boomers who are caring for their aging parents. With over 25+ yrs of experience, Tonia is all about results. Get effective solutions to your challenges, less stress and overwhelm and be able to care for your parents and yourself well. Try a FREE solution session and make tomorrow better than today.

Copyright 2010, The Practical Expert®, All Rights Reserved

Source by Tonia Boterf

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