When adults age and grow older, it may become increasingly difficult to maintain oral hygiene, especially when mobility is compromised and routines start to break down. When this happens, older adults spend less time on personal care and sometimes neglect brushing and flossing regularly. This is dangerous as older adults already tend to have weaker gums and teeth. Poor dental health and dental care for the elderly can also lead to many repercussions. If your loved one is showing signs of dental care neglect, it may be a sign to consider an assisted living community where your loved one will be assisted with daily tasks. Here are some reasons why the elderly should not neglect dental care.
Lower Risk of Oral Diseases
When the elderly do not take care of their oral health, they are putting themselves at risk of teeth and gum disease, which can be painful and burdensome to deal with. It is important for the elderly to regularly brush their teeth and get rid of bacteria that may be forming in the mouth. This can reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Better Nutrition
With regular dental care, older adults can have healthier and stronger teeth. This means that they will have no problem eating different types of food. It is important for older adults to be able to get the nutrition they need, and having weak teeth may mean that the elderly only stick to foods that are easy to chew and swallow. However, this may lead to certain nutritional deficiencies. With strong teeth, the elderly will be able to continue eating nutrient-dense foods like protein, fruits, and vegetables, which means they will have better nutrition and good health.
Improved Overall Health
Being able to eat nutritious foods can have a positive effect on overall health. Furthermore, studies have shown that there is a correlation between oral diseases like gum diseases and other health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Hence, paying attention to dental care and oral health can help to improve overall health.
More Confidence
Another thing that affects many older adults is dwindling self-confidence. With healthy teeth and a beautiful smile, older adults will have a more pleasant appearance which will give them a confidence boost, especially when they meet new people in independent living communities. This gives them the confidence to be able to make new friends and speak to people without worrying about how their teeth or mouth looks.
Older adults may neglect dental care for a variety of reasons, such as lack of mobility, forgetfulness, or if they feel that there is simply no need to due to lower levels of socialization. If your loved one requires assistance doing everyday tasks like brushing and flossing teeth, then you can consider bringing them to an assisted living community. Here at Mariposa, our qualified professionals do our best to ensure that all residents are healthy and happy, and are enjoying their stay with us. If you are interested to know more about what we have to offer, feel free to contact us today.