Skip to main content

Dementia - A Carer's Guide to Oral Health





A diagnosis of dementia is a truly traumatic time for everyone involved.  Partners and family members find themselves in a position where they become carers to their loved one, feeling a huge amount of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds.  The simplest of daily tasks can become overwhelming.

While we can't help you overcome every hurdle, we can provide advice and support on helping someone with dementia maintain their oral health, such as tooth brushing and dietary advice, denture care where necessary and recognising when someone may be in pain or discomfort caused by toothache.

Daily care


Establishing a daily routine is of real benefit, particularly in the early stages of dementia.  Encourage the person to care for their own teeth for as long as possible.  As a carer you can help by reminding them when to brush, and show them how to apply toothpaste to the brush if necessary.  It might be worth considering an electric toothbrush as they may be easier to handle and can brush their teeth more effectively.


As dementia progresses the person may forget why they need to brush their teeth or lose the ability to do it, so the carer may need to take over the task.  The easiest way to do this is have the person sit in a chair, and stand behind them, similar to the way a dentist treats a patient. 

Your dentist or hygienist can provide guidance and tips on the best methods for you.


Signs of a problem

Some people, especially those in the later stages of dementia may be unable to explain pain or discomfort they may be experiencing in their mouth.  However, changes in their behaviour can give you an indication that something is not quite right.  these include:-

  • refusing food
  • frequent pulling at their face or mouth
  • increased restlessness, moaning or shouting
  • disturbed sleep
  • refusing to wear dentures (if normally worn)

If you suspect the person you care for has toothache, contact their dentist for an emergency appointment.  They can help arrange home visits if necessary.


We can help

We can provide you with support and advice on lots of oral issues that can arise in people with dementia, such as difficulty wearing dentures, dry mouth due to medication and helping individuals manage dental treatment.  

Good oral health is not simply about keeping your mouth in good shape, it can mean a world of difference to overall wellbeing, especially in those with dementia.

For further information on dental health, or any aspects of caring for someone with dementia, visit the Alzheimer's Society at https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Leave the Dentistry to Us!

A few days ago I was scrolling through Facebook, putting off all the other things I should have been doing, when an advert popped up from a 'legitimate company', offering a not-to-be missed opportunity to straighten your teeth in the comfort of your own home.  No pesky dentist, no messy impressions,  no fuss, simply order a one-size-fits-all appliance that would have your teeth straight within weeks. On further investigation the 'appliance' turned out to be a cheap sports guard type device.  This was to be worn at night, and within days your teeth would magically begin to straighten. A glutton for punishment, I went straight to the comments. One young man asked  "How much is this please? I've been quoted over £2000 to just have 6 teeth at the top and 6 teeth at the bottom straightened!" A lady thoroughly recommended the device. "I got these and could feel my teeth moving within 2 days, I swear!".  Another user a
Post a Comment
Read more

Snoring - Causes, effects and how we can help

Snoring isn't that serious, is it?  Really, it's just a bit of a nuisance, right? For many this is true enough, they snore occasionally, or their partner is woken from their sleep from time-to-time, but it's usually resolved with a swift kick under the covers, the offender turns over, and silence reigns again. Unfortunately this is not always the case, and snoring has become a serious problem for some.  Not only does it affect the health of the snorer, but it can have detrimental effects on their partner too.  We all need an adequate amount of sleep to function properly, both mentally and physically.  Sleep deprivation can lead to increased anxiety and depression, high blood pressure and weight gain, lowered immunity, trouble concentrating and memory loss. So why do people snore?  For the most part, it is a physical  issue - relaxed muscles make the airway smaller, air travels through this narrower space faster and vibrates the soft tissues.  The result tis that
Post a Comment
Read more

Cosmetic Bonding and Contouring

Image: Canva Hooray, Spring is on the way! I don't know about you but I do prefer leaving work in daylight. You might be thinking about how to improve your smile leading up to the summer season, but you're concerned about the cost and time involved. Here Dr. Emma Dougherty discusses a fast and  affordable way to achieve a beautiful smile. "Cosmetic bonding and contouring is a great way to give you a beautiful, natural looking smile. It is much less destructive to your teeth than traditional porcelain veneers, provides an instant result and is very affordable.  As a result, the technique is growing in popularity, with Glamour Magazine dubbing it "The hot new way to get a celebrity smile".  The treatment requires no needles  and no drilling, we are simply adding small amounts of tooth-coloured filling material and reshaping your teeth to achieve a more youthful and symmetrical appearance.  This can be done in one visit to give you a perfect, sam
Post a Comment
Read more