People are told throughout their lives that taking care of their oral health is crucial. However, the importance of going to the dentist and brushing your teeth becomes more evident with aging. Although keeping up with oral health may be more challenging in the senior years, your aging loved one can receive the following benefits by making it a priority.
Preserve Natural Teeth
Tooth replacements have come a long way in recent years. However, natural teeth are still better than the alternative. Natural teeth fit the jawbone better than implants can, and they generally require less upkeep than other options, such as dentures. If your loved one has made it this far with his or her natural teeth, the best bet is to try to preserve them for as long as possible.
If your loved one needs help keeping his or her teeth healthy or assistance with other hygiene tasks, consider hiring an in-home caregiver. The type of elderly home care seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Home Care Assistance, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
Prevent Oral Cancer
Oral health involves more than just maintaining a pretty smile. The risk of oral cancer increases with age. While using tobacco products in the past increases the risk of developing cancer, it’s still possible for anyone to have cancerous lesions appear in the mouth. Your loved one can get screenings done at the dentist’s office to catch potentially cancerous spots before they spread.
Lower the Risk of Heart Disease
The presence of gum disease is linked to heart disease. There’s still research being done to understand exactly why this is so, but there seems to be a connection to how much plaque and inflammation exists in the body. There are also theories that infection in the gums is able to get into the bloodstream and affect the cardiovascular system. Gum disease treatments are available for every stage of the condition, and your loved one’s dentist can eliminate infections that irritate the soft tissues of the mouth.
Heart disease and gum disease are just two of the serious issues aging adults are susceptible to. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality homecare services. Waterloo families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
Avoid Malnutrition
Healthy teeth and gums are important for being able to eat properly. If your loved one is missing teeth, he or she may be limited to only eating certain foods. Your loved one may also start to skip meals if he or she is in too much pain. Since many seniors are already at risk for malnutrition due to digestive issues, having missing teeth increases the potential for serious health consequences from eating a poor diet. Make sure your loved one sees a dentist regularly.
Feel Confident Socializing
Your loved one’s smile is a big part of who he or she is. Seniors who are missing teeth or whose teeth are stained or broken may be too embarrassed to go out and socialize with other people. Whether your loved one needs a new set of dentures or is ready to replace a tooth with an implant, make sure he or she has the necessary support to get it done.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Waterloo seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers. Call Home Care Assistance at (519) 954-2111 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.