As we get older it can become harder to maintain good oral hygiene. Many seniors suffer with mobility issues, such as arthritis, dementia and dry mouths caused by taking daily pharmaceutical drugs. Poor oral health can affect their ability to eat and speak clearly causing them to lose the joy from life. Bacterial infections in the mouth can cause serious complications including increased risks of heart disease, stroke and pneumonia. As a caregiver, you can help look after their overall health by ensuring they receive daily oral care.

We provide practical advice, expert dental knowledge and helpful routines to help keep your seniors feeling comfortable, healthy and confident with a smile.

What Are the Common Oral Problems in Seniors?

As we get older, there are certain oral problems we need to be aware of. Knowing what to look out for will help you identify signs sooner.

  • Dry mouth – Many common medications can cause your seniors saliva levels to drop. Saliva helps remove food particles and neutralize harmful acids. This causes teeth to begin deteriorating quickly.

  • Root caries – As gums recede, the roots of their teeth are exposed. The roots do not have a protective layer of enamel meaning cavities will form quickly.

  • Periodontal disease – Plaque can build up in the mouth causing the gums to become inflamed and the bone supporting their teeth to weaken. Over time this can cause their natural teeth to become loose or fall out completely.

  • Poor memory and dexterity – Conditions such as Parkinson’s can cause pain when holding a toothbrush. Alzheimer’s can cause them to forget how to brush their teeth.

How Can You Create a Daily Brushing Routine for Seniors?

To make brushing easier for your senior, create a routine that will be easy to follow.

  • Use an electric toothbrush with a chunky handle. These help remove plaque effectively without needing to move their wrist.

  • Use a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen the roots of their teeth. If your senior has trouble swallowing then choose a non foaming formula.

  • Brush teeth using a 45 degree angle. Hold them from behind with one hand and use a soft brush. Gently brush in small circles.

  • Brush their teeth twice a day. This will become a routine and will cause less anxiety for those with memory loss.

How Can Caregivers Provide Effective Inter dental Care?

Cleaning between the teeth can help prevent inflamed gums. Many caregivers avoid this due to it being difficult.

  • Use floss picks. Floss picks are plastic and allow you to clean their back molars without putting your fingers in their mouth.

  • Use small inter dental brushes. These small brushes have soft bristles and can be used between the teeth to remove food. They are much more effective than floss for those with receded gums.

  • Water flossers – These shoot out targeted jets of warm water to help clean around the sensitive gums, natural teeth and dental bridges without causing any pain.

How Should You Clean and Care for Senior Dentures?

Complete and partial dentures need to be cleaned thoroughly each day to prevent fungal infections, painful sores and bad breath.

  • After each meal remove their dentures and rinse them with lukewarm water. Do not use boiling water as this can warp the acrylic.

  • Clean all surfaces of their dentures using a soft denture brush and non-abrasive denture paste or mild soap. Never use normal toothpaste as this will scratch their dentures.

  • Soak their dentures overnight in a bowl of water or antibacterial denture cleaning solution. This will help keep their dentures hydrated and will give their gums a break.

  • Gently wipe the gums, tongue and roof of their mouth using a soft damp cloth or ultra soft brush.

How Can You Tackle Dry Mouth Caused by Medication?

There are many simple steps you can take at home to reduce dry mouth symptoms and help protect their natural teeth.

  • Offer them a glass of cold water. Keep a glass of fresh water to hand and ask them to sip regularly.

  • Use oral moisturizing gels or sprays. Apply these over the counter products before they eat or go to bed to help moisturize their dry mouth.

  • Use a cool mist humidifier. Place this in their bedroom whilst they sleep to prevent their mouth becoming too dry.

  • Give them xylitol sweets or gum. These sugar free products help stimulate saliva production. Xylitol also prevents cavity causing bacteria from growing.

How Can You Overcome Refusal in Dementia Patients?

Many caregivers struggle to get dementia patients to complete their daily oral care routine.

  • Use bridging care. Give them a toothbrush and gently lead their hand to their mouth.

  • Distraction and modeling – Model behavior by brushing your teeth or play relaxing background music.

  • Use short commands. Give them simple one word commands such as open mouth or hold brush.

  • If they suddenly refuse to brush their teeth, check their mouth for broken teeth, bleeding gums or poorly fitting dentures which may be causing them pain.

What Are the Top Oral Care Tips for Caregivers?

  • Check their mouth weekly for red gums, white sores, cracked teeth or poorly fitting dentures.

  • Help them to brush their teeth twice a day using a soft bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.

  • Clean between their teeth daily using floss picks, inter dental brushes or a water flosser.

  • Remove their complete or partial dentures, clean and soak overnight.

  • Reduce dry mouth symptoms by asking them to sip water regularly, offer xylitol sweets and use moisturizing gels.

  • Be gentle and use bridging care for those with dementia.

  • Visit the dentist every 6 months.

What Are the Top Questions About Senior Oral Care?

How Often Should My Senior Visit the Dentist If They Don’t Have Any Natural Teeth?

Even if they have no natural teeth, it is important they visit the dentist at least once a year. The dentist will check their gums for any signs of cancer, check their jawbone health and adjust their dentures to ensure they fit safely.

What If They Refuse to Spit Out the Toothpaste?

If they swallow their toothpaste, change to a fluoride free, non foaming toothpaste or natural oral care gel. Brush their teeth with a small amount of toothpaste or water.

How Will I Know If Their Dentures Don’t Fit?

They may slip often when talking, refuse to eat hard foods, lose weight, have sores in their mouth along the gum line and need to use more denture glue.

Can Poor Oral Care Cause Health Problems?

Yes! Bacteria in the mouth can travel down the airway and cause aspiration pneumonia. This is one of the main reasons seniors are hospitalized. Bacteria from their mouth will also enter their blood stream making their heart disease and diabetes worse.

Looking after your senior’s oral care with care can make a huge difference to their overall health, dignity and comfort. By creating a routine, using tools to help with their mobility issues, tackling dry mouth and visiting the dentist regularly, you can help keep their smiles healthy for life. Begin using these simple steps today to help your loved one.