Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a common issue for aging adults. Bad breath is embarrassing, but it might be more than that, too. Persistent bad breath can be a sign that seniors are having health issues or that they need a lot more help than they needed in the past to stay on top of oral hygiene. Personal care at home is an easy way for seniors to deal with bad breath and experience better oral hygiene at the same time.

Poor Oral Hygiene

As seniors get older, bad oral hygiene can lead directly to bad breath. Health issues, dexterity problems, or cognitive issues can all play a role in causing seniors to have more trouble with brushing and flossing routines. They could also simply forget to brush their teeth. Food particles and bacteria multiply quickly in the mouth, causing bad odors very quickly. Home care providers can help seniors to stay on track with their oral care routines, reminding them and assisting as needed.

Dry Mouth

When seniors have less saliva in their mouths, they’re more likely to experience dry mouth. There are lots of possible causes of dry mouth, but ignoring the condition doesn’t help at all. Saliva helps to keep the mouth clean, washes away food particles, and helps to reduce odors. Personal care at home can remind seniors to drink more water and use other solutions that help stimulate saliva and keep dry mouth at bay.

Dental Issues

Untreated dental conditions, like cavities or gum disease, also contribute to bad breath. Regular dental visits help seniors to stay on top of these issues so that they can get them resolved quickly. Elder care providers can work with seniors to schedule dentist appointments and make it easier for seniors to get to those appointments.

Underlying Health Issues

Beyond dental issues, health conditions like diabetes, kidney diseases, and respiratory illnesses are just a few of the possible contributing factors for bad breath. If bad breath is still a problem after seniors get a handle on consistent oral hygiene, they may have more going on with some of these health conditions. Treating these health conditions properly can help to reduce bad breath, but the treatments may be another factor to consider.

Medication Side Effects

Some of the medications that seniors take in order to deal with health problems have side effects like dry mouth or bad breath. Antihistamines, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants are just a few of the different types of medications that might have these side effects. Seniors should talk to their doctors about how the medications are affecting them because there may be other treatments that don’t have those effects.

Home care providers understand how complicated and embarrassing situations like chronic bad breath can be for seniors. Personal care at home can address many of these challenges for seniors, helping them to solve oral hygiene issues and troubleshoot other possible causes of bad breath. With the right help, seniors can enjoy better oral health and regain their confidence, too.

If you are considering personal care at home in Sugar Land, 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 assistance 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.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

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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