Significance of Oral health in the overall health of the elderly. (Oral health day)

As today is the 2023 World Oral health day, Let us celebrate by reducing the risk factors that cause oral illnesses and increasing access to oral health care. The health of the teeth, gums, and the overall oral-facial system that allows us to smile, speak, and chew is referred to as Oral health.

Taking good care of our teeth is still an important aspect of our daily health and hygiene routine. The elderly must take extra care of their dental health. Senior dental care is important in sustaining seniors' general quality of life since older adults are more sensitive to oral problems that younger people may avoid.

Patients receiving palliative care have several oral issues, such as dry mouth, trouble chewing, and halitosis, which must be treated. Therefore, dental health plays a vital part in improving these patients' quality of life.

A mouth infection can easily be aspirated into the lungs, leading to more serious respiratory disorders such as Pneumonia. As a result, older adults should practice proper dental hygiene to avoid potentially deadly respiratory difficulties.

Poor dental health can exacerbate other health issues, particularly for seniors.

Why oral care for seniors is important?

●      Mouth infections in senior oral health can cause complications such as pneumonia, root damage, tooth decay, gum disease, and heart disease. Some of these diseases, such as root decay, are just mildly irritating, whereas others, such as pneumonia, can be fatal.

●       Blood sugar levels may rise and result in diabetes. If there is an infection in your mouth or gums, the germs can spread to your lungs or heart. Proper dental hygiene is an excellent method to reduce illness risk.

●       Many older adults take several different medicines, which could cause dry mouth. Saliva is required in the mouth to preserve the teeth from rotting and to avoid oral infections. if left untreated, it can lead to gum disease and cavities.

●       Gum disease is serious because the infection can spread throughout the body and make eating solids and even drinking water painful.

●       Diseases like pneumonia, diabetes, heart disease, oral care, and hypertension may develop because of poor oral health.

 

Tips to improve senior oral health

●       Brushing - Brush your teeth twice a day by using fluoride toothpaste and a soft, electric toothbrush can help with senior dental hygiene. Caretakers will brush the teeth, gums, and tongue gently twice a day for people who are unable to do normal oral hygiene activities on their own.

●       Flossing - Regular flossing helps to keep plaque and gum disease away. Flossing at least once a day eliminates plaque between your teeth, lowering your risk of periodontal disease.

●       Clean dentures - Advise your parent to clean their full or partial dentures on a regular basis and to take them out at night. To remove food, plaque, and other deposits, soak them and wash them with a soft-bristled brush and nontoxicity denture cleaner.

●       Quit Smoking - Avoid smoking and other tobacco products. Smoking, chewing tobacco, or using snuff increases your chance of developing mouth cancer. Smoking also raises your chances of developing gum disease.

●       Notice changes - Watch for changes like a spot in your mouth, lip, or throat that feels uncomfortable. Check if there is a white or red patch in your mouth, trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue, and numbness in your tongue or mouth.

●       Regular dental visits - frequent dentist visits can help with the prevention of dental problems and the maintenance of healthy teeth. A dentist's regular teeth cleaning eliminates plaque that can build up even with meticulous brushing and flossing. This is important for reaching locations that are difficult to reach on your own.

●       Build healthy habits - Reduce your intake of sugary meals and beverages. This can assist to avoid tooth decay and is beneficial to your general health.

●       Calcium supplements - When we become older, many of us do not get enough calcium in our diets. Hence, elders, in particular, need to boost their calcium intake in order to maintain optimal dental health.

●       Hydration - Drinking lots of water every day is essential to your overall health. The elderly may have difficulty identifying thirst. Keep water close at hand and don't hesitate to drink until you're thirsty.

Oral candidiasis is a fungal infection of the mouth and it's quite common for senior adults because of weakened immunity. It's not contagious and it can be treated with antifungal medication. It's also called “Oral thrush”. And it causes by intaking heavy antibiotics for a long period, wearing dentures, poor oral hygiene, and smoking.

The goal of senior living care (mouth) management is to provide comfort, hydration, and overall quality of life while preventing oral problems and preserving optimal oral function.

Athulya Assisted living supports senior adults with daily tasks while also giving therapeutic treatment. Every day at Athulya is thoughtfully planned to present our residents with one-of-a-kind experiences which also makes them the best senior healthcare in India. To know more, visit Athulya at Athulya Assisted Living.