Dental care is important for everyone. However, seniors need to get regular cleanings and see the dentist often to make sure that their teeth and mouths are healthy. May is Dental Care Awareness Month and it’s a good time for a reminder that seniors need to pay attention to their teeth. Sometimes seniors think that if they have dentures or if they have implants they don’t need as much dental care as they used to. Seniors and their families also might think that it’s not that big a deal if seniors don’t go to the dentist. Home care assistance providers can help your senior loved one get to the dentist.
Here are some reasons why seniors need to have regular dental appointments:
Mouth Problems Can Indicate Bigger Health Problems
Home Care Assistance Lauderhill FL – Reasons Why Seniors Need To See The Dentist RegularlyDental problems can be serious on their own, but sometimes problems with teeth or gums can be an indication of other health problems that seniors and their families might not even know about. Having a dentist check your senior loved one’s teeth and gums twice a year is a good way to get a jump on any potential health problems that might be looming. Your senior loved one’s dentist will notice small changes in the gums or teeth that can indicate health problems like anemia that should be checked out by a doctor.
Dental Infections Can Be Deadly
An infection from a cracked tooth, an abscess, periodontitis, or dentures that don’t fit right and allow plaque and bacteria to get under them can cause a lot of pain for your senior loved one. They can also cause more serious problems and in some cases death. If the infection from a broken tooth or other dental problem enters the bloodstream of your senior loved one that infection could kill them or cause a stroke. Since dental infections are more likely to occur when people don’t have great oral hygiene seniors have a high risk for infections. Your senior loved one should be seeing a dentist or hygienist every few months for a dental cleaning and an exam to make sure there is no infection.
Medications Can Cause Dry Mouth And Other Problems
Seniors have a high risk of developing dry mouth and other mouth conditions. Dry mouth is a side effect of many medications. And seniors often are dehydrated which can make dry mouth even worse. Over time dry mouth can cause dental problems like a buildup of plaque which can cause gingivitis, tooth loss, and other problems. Using a CPAP machine at night or supplemental oxygen or medical equipment can also cause dry mouth and mouth sores that should be treated by a professional.
Home Care Assistance Aides can Help a Senior Having a Hard Time With Dental Care
Regular cleanings help seniors avoid dental problems that can happen because seniors often have trouble brushing their teeth well. Even if they can still use a toothbrush your senior loved one may not be able to floss comfortably which can leave a lot of plaque and debris in the teeth. Home care assistance providers can help seniors clean their teeth daily, but dental cleanings are still a must. Dental cleanings every few months will help your senior loved one stay healthy and protect their teeth and gums.
If you or a family member need to hire Home Care Assistance Services in Lauderhill FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Margate, Pompano Beach, and Tamarac.
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