Home Care Assistance: Twenty percent of adults 65 or older have at least one untreated cavity.
Almost 70% of these older adults have gum disease. You or your home care assistance provider can sit down with your mom on National Toothache Day to ask her if she’s keeping up with her oral care and hygiene.
What Should Your Mom Do Each Day?
Ask your mom what her daily oral care routine entails. At the very least, she should be brushing her teeth twice a day and flossing at least once. It’s better to brush and floss after every meal.
If she has a hard time flossing, invest in a water flosser. The hand-held device is easier to hold onto when you have arthritis. The spraying water flushes out between teeth and under the gum line to help lower the risk of cavities and plaque build-up.
Oral care also starts with a healthier diet. Foods and beverages that contain added sugar damage the teeth. If your mom loves soda or sugary drinks like sweet tea, she needs to reconsider her preferences. Unsweetened tea is better for her teeth and overall health.
Sugary snacks are also a poor choice. Instead, your mom should lean towards raw vegetables when she’s hungry. Cucumber, celery, and carrot sticks are better for her than a brownie or cookie.
Once a day, she should look into an oral rinse that helps strengthen enamel with the use of fluoride. If she suffers from dry mouth or gum disease, her dentist may provide a prescription mouth rinse to help with gum health.
Home Care Assistance: Talk to Her Dentist to Learn How Often She Should Go for Cleanings
Does your mom have a dentist that she sees regularly? If she doesn’t, it’s time to get her set up with one. When your mom goes for her cleaning and exam, she should ask how often she should go for cleanings.
Most insurance companies allow two cleanings a year, but some will offer up to four if there are signs of gum disease. Gum disease can impact your mom’s heart health, so it’s essential to get it under control if she’s diagnosed with it.
It’s normal to feel incapable of helping your mom with oral care. If you’re too squeamish or find it too difficult to properly brush and floss your mom’s teeth, find someone who can. Personal care at home aides is the perfect solution in this situation.
Hire a home care assistance provider to brush your mom’s teeth, help her floss correctly, and even schedule dental appointments. Call a home care assistance specialist to learn more.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Assistance in Chandler, AZ, or anywhere in the East Valley, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care.
Call (480) 777-0070
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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