Your elderly loved one may be at a greater risk of gum disease than you think. Even if he’s good at regularly brushing and flossing his teeth, some age-related changes to his health may increase his risk of developing gum disease. Here are a few important things to know about gum health for seniors, and how senior home care can support your parent’s efforts to improve gum health.
- Declining saliva production. This can occur naturally through aging or occur as a side effect of some medications.
- Less saliva means a drier mouth and that can lead to gum disease.
- Poor nutrition. If your loved one doesn’t have healthy eating habits and becomes deprived of key nutrients such as vitamin C, his gums can become affected.
- Weakened immune system. His body may not be able to fight off infection as well as it used to.
- Physical limitations. His eyes might not be strong enough to see if he’s flossed well enough or he might have arthritis which is preventing him from brushing thoroughly enough.
Symptoms of Gum Disease in Seniors
Symptoms can appear different for each person and may come and go but if gum disease is left untreated, the symptoms will continue to get worse and could eventually lead to tooth loss.
- Persistent bad breath no matter how much tooth brushing is done.
- Gums that appear to be swollen, red, and pulling away from the teeth.
- Your loved one complains about his gums hurting when he eats certain foods or that feels especially tender.
- Gums that bleed when teeth are flossed.
- Partial dentures no longer fit like they used to.
- Pus appears between the teeth and gums.
- Gums begin to pull away from teeth, showing more of the roots and making them look longer.
Reducing the Risk of Gum Disease in Seniors
For some elderly people, they cannot fully protect themselves from gum disease. With all of the natural changes in the body, along with possible hereditary factors, the likelihood of gum disease developing is great. Even with the odds stacked against them, many older individuals can reduce the risk of developing gum disease by taking these steps.
- Stop smoking and drinking. Both of these habits can increase the risk of oral infections and cause the body to take longer to heal.
- Brush and floss at least two times a day for two minutes each time. Make sure your loved one uses a toothpaste that contains fluoride and that his toothbrush is soft and doesn’t cause any abrasions on his tender gums.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to an increased risk of bacteria forming in the mouth.
- Keep those routine dental appointments. Even if all is going well, feels great, and looks healthy, your loved one should never skip his 6-month checkups.
If your loved one needs help with maintaining good oral health care, consider having a senior home care provider help with his dental care. A senior home care provider can help with brushing, flossing, and general oral care as well as prepare healthy meals that will give his body the nutrients it needs to fight off any type of infections, including those in the gums. His senior home care provider may also be able to observe any changes that do occur within his mouth and alert the proper caregivers so that he can receive a review and any treatment needed right away.
Reference
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/older-adults-and-oral-health.pdf
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Castle Rock, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare of Parker. 303-953-9924
