La Jolla Senior Care News

How to Help a Senior with Oral Hygiene

Senior Care La Jolla CA

Senior Care La Jolla CA

Senior Care La Jolla CA Oral hygiene is not only important for dental health, but can also improve the overall health of your agingloved one. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that about 12 million adults over the age of 65 will need long-term care, which may also mean they will need assistance with their oral hygiene routine. A senior care provider can be used to help your aging parent with their dental habits and other everyday responsibilities. With these tips and the help of an elderly care aid, they can have strong, healthy teeth for years to come.

  • Brush and floss daily. When plaque begins to grow, the outer layer of the tooth may begin to decay. This may also cause the nerve inside the tooth to become infected, resulting in a root canal or the tooth to be pulled. To remove plaque, a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste should be used two times a day. In order to remove food and debris from between the teeth, flossing should also be done once a day. If holding dental floss is too difficult for the senior, they may have better luck with floss holders.
  • Use a suction machine. Older adults who have a difficult time spitting or swallowing may need to use a suction machine. This machine can be prescribed by a doctor and is covered by most insurance companies. It involves attaching a suction toothbrush to the hose, which can be used to remove bad breath, lower the chance of infection, and prevent pneumonia-causing aspiration. This machine is especially helpful for seniors who have trouble getting out of bed.
  • Use a non-alcoholic mouthwash. Daily rinsing with a non-alcoholic mouthwash will prevent plaque germs from growing. This mouthwash should also have the ingredient xylitol. The elder’s dentist will most likely have a mouthwash they recommend. Xylitol gum can also be chewed to help prevent cavities.
  • Keep dentures clean. If your loved one does have dentures, cleaning them each night is important in order to keep the senior’s mouth healthy. To do this, fill up a basin with water and brush the dentures with detergent that is placed on the toothbrush. Before going to bed, submerge the dentures in a cup of water and leave it there overnight.

Oral hygiene is important for people of all ages, but becomes even more critical for older adults who have weaker enamel and teeth strength. Encourage your loved one to follow these tips each day to keep their mouths healthy.

La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Costa, CA, and the surrounding communities."}” data-sheets-userformat=”{"2":767,"3":{"1":0},"4":{"1":2,"2":10667209},"5":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"6":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"7":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"8":{"1":[{"1":2,"2":0,"5":{"1":2,"2":0}},{"1":0,"2":0,"3":3},{"1":1,"2":0,"4":1}]},"9":2,"10":2,"12":0}”>For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.

Brittnei Salerno

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