American Dental SolutionsPosted by Springfield Dentist on 09/21/12
When it comes to dental care, everyone needs it and everyone deserves it. Despite this fact, certain sections of our population seem to miss out on the oral hygiene care that they need to continue leading healthy, functional lives. One group that is particularly hard hit is the growing senior citizen community. Despite their years of caring for their children, grandchildren, and community- these aging individuals are often disregarded when it comes to dental care. Kentucky lawmakers who were appalled after finding out that a nursing home resident in the state almost died after contracting an oral infection after not having her dentures removed for six months, have recently paved the way for a new bill that would require all assisted living communities to keep a caregiver on staff to tend to oral hygiene needs.
As a Springfield dentist, I fully support the need to bring awareness to this critical situation. The elderly, who are already at higher risk for a number of serious conditions, often find themselves facing even more problems when the lack proper dental care. Many people seem to falsely believe the misnomer that the elderly do not need to worry about oral hygiene due to a lack of teeth. In reality, well over half of today's senior citizen population have at least part of their natural teeth. Even those who have prosthetic teeth generally need to be seeing their Springfield dentist on occasion.
One of the biggest problems with maintaining oral hygiene amongst the elderly is that some senior citizens may need help doing so. Whereas it is easy for caregivers to notice skin problems, fever, or a developing cold, oral health is easy to overlook. This is why it is so important for elderly patients to get in and see a dentist in Springfield at least a few times a year. These appointments allow the Springfield dentist to evaluate the teeth and gums for signs of trouble and correct any issues right away. It also permits them to give the elderly patient a thorough cleaning and fluoride treatment, offer advice for managing dental hygiene at home, and even screen for dangerous cancers.
If you have an elderly family member who is primarily cared for by a nurse or the staff of a residential home, you may want to ask questions to ensure that oral hygiene practices are being followed. When it comes to nursing homes, it is generally recommended that one member of the staff be devoted solely to managing oral hygiene for the aging residents. If it is an at-home caregiver, you may need to inform them of the importance of this type of care. Either way, you should periodically check your loved one's teeth for signs of infection, such as:
Once an infection starts in the mouth it can quickly spread to other vital organs if left untreated. Furthermore, individuals with poor oral health tend to have more bacteria present in their mouth than the norm. Some of the harmful bacteria present has been linked to heart disease, stroke, meningitis, pneumonia, and a number of other dangerous health conditions.
If you are interested in learning more about the need for adequate oral hygiene amongst the elderly, or wish to make an appointment for your aging loved one, contact the dentist in Springfield today.
As a Springfield dentist, I fully support the need to bring awareness to this critical situation. The elderly, who are already at higher risk for a number of serious conditions, often find themselves facing even more problems when the lack proper dental care. Many people seem to falsely believe the misnomer that the elderly do not need to worry about oral hygiene due to a lack of teeth. In reality, well over half of today's senior citizen population have at least part of their natural teeth. Even those who have prosthetic teeth generally need to be seeing their Springfield dentist on occasion.
The Dentist in Springfield on Improving Elderly Oral Hygiene
One of the biggest problems with maintaining oral hygiene amongst the elderly is that some senior citizens may need help doing so. Whereas it is easy for caregivers to notice skin problems, fever, or a developing cold, oral health is easy to overlook. This is why it is so important for elderly patients to get in and see a dentist in Springfield at least a few times a year. These appointments allow the Springfield dentist to evaluate the teeth and gums for signs of trouble and correct any issues right away. It also permits them to give the elderly patient a thorough cleaning and fluoride treatment, offer advice for managing dental hygiene at home, and even screen for dangerous cancers.
If you have an elderly family member who is primarily cared for by a nurse or the staff of a residential home, you may want to ask questions to ensure that oral hygiene practices are being followed. When it comes to nursing homes, it is generally recommended that one member of the staff be devoted solely to managing oral hygiene for the aging residents. If it is an at-home caregiver, you may need to inform them of the importance of this type of care. Either way, you should periodically check your loved one's teeth for signs of infection, such as:
- Inflamed, red, or swollen gums
- Bloody gums
- Black or brown spots on the teeth
- Visible holes or "cavities" in the teeth
- Bad breath
Once an infection starts in the mouth it can quickly spread to other vital organs if left untreated. Furthermore, individuals with poor oral health tend to have more bacteria present in their mouth than the norm. Some of the harmful bacteria present has been linked to heart disease, stroke, meningitis, pneumonia, and a number of other dangerous health conditions.
If you are interested in learning more about the need for adequate oral hygiene amongst the elderly, or wish to make an appointment for your aging loved one, contact the dentist in Springfield today.
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