Almost seven out of ten adults aged 65 or older have gum disease. Of this 68% of older adults, missing teeth are also a risk. Have you considered the benefits of personal care at home to make sure your dad cares for his teeth and gums correctly?
Oral Care Tips for Gum Disease
With a soft-bristled toothbrush, your dad needs to brush his teeth for a full two minutes twice a day. He needs to use fluoride toothpaste. If you need guidance into the best toothpaste for his specific needs, ask his dentist for advice.
An electric toothbrush has built-in timers to ensure you brush each quadrant for the full 30 seconds each. Some of these toothbrushes pair with oral care apps to track how many tooth surfaces are missed while your dad is brushing his teeth.
Flossing his teeth is also important. He needs to floss once a day, getting down to the gum line with the floss. If he struggles to hold a flosser or floss correctly, look into a water flosser that blasts water between his teeth and at the gumline to break up any remaining plaque.
His dentist may recommend that he also rinses with a product designed to help strengthen his enamel. That helps protect the teeth from cavities.
Your dad may find it hard to do these oral care routines. If he does, make sure he has a personal care aide available for oral care services.
Help Him Stop Habits That Increase the Risk
Does your dad smoke? Smoking increases the risk of gum disease. You should work with your dad on finding the best smoking cessation treatment plan. His doctor can help him with any prescriptions or therapy sessions to help him curb the cravings.
A poor diet also increases the risk of gum disease. If your dad eats a lot of sugary foods and drinks soda or sports drinks, they’re bad for his teeth and gums. Get him to switch to water, seltzer, and plenty of vegetables and nuts as snacks.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
Most people see their dentist twice a year for cleanings and exams. With gum disease, your dad’s dentist may want to see him three or four times a year. Make sure these appointments are scheduled and that you or another person are free to drive him to and from those dental visits.
Other Tips
If your dad has undergone gum disease surgery like a gum graft surgery, he’ll have additional care instructions to follow. Make sure he understands all that is required of him during the recovery.
Don’t risk your dad’s health with improper oral care. Arrange personal care at home services and have caregivers help your dad take better care of his teeth and gums. Learn more about oral care services from a personal care at home agency.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm#
If you are considering personal care at home in Houston, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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