Optimizing oral health for older adults

oral health

Optimizing oral health for older adults

Why oral health care is important for older people

Oral health is a significant factor affecting older peoples’ quality of life, overall health and wellbeing. Tooth loss, tooth decay (dental caries), gum disease (periodontitis), dry mouth (xerostomia) and oral cancers are commonly experienced by older people. Management and/or prevention of these conditions can be achieved by: > routine oral health assessment > oral health care planning > support with daily oral care > referral to a dental professional While older people may or may not visit a dental professional on a regular basis, they do interact with a wide range of health care workers who are responsible for assessing and monitoring their health as well as assisting with personal care. You can develop the oral health knowledge and skills needed to support older people as they transition from independence to formal care by using the following resource packages: > Better Oral Health in Home Care provides simple preventative strategies to maintain good oral health > Better Oral Health in Residential Care supports the provision of oral care for frail older people with complex needs.

Quality of life and oral health

Poor oral health affects an older person’s ability to chew and eat a variety of foods. This causes poor dietary intake and weight loss. Discomfort from poor oral health disrupts sleep and the ability to relax. It also affects an older person’s appearance, selfesteem and self-confidence as well as their ability to talk and communicate effectively.

General health and oral health

Oral health and disease are closely related to general health and disease. The mouth acts as a portal for disease with tooth decay and gum disease sharing links with many of the chronic medical conditions experienced by older people such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and respiratory diseases.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a high risk factor for gum disease and oral infections such as thrush. Poor diabetic control aggravates gum disease. The systemic inflammatory response caused by gum disease exacerbates diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Dry mouth

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many of the medications prescribed for older people. It is an uncomfortable condition. Dry mouth affects a person’s ability to speak, taste, chew and swallow food. It increases the risk of tooth decay, oral infections and aspiration pneumonia.

WATCH VIDEO

VIDEO HERE

In this video, James (Dentist at DPV Health) gives tips oral health for older adults.

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