Oral Health in Dementia: Tailored Dental Care for Memory-Impaired Seniors

Interestingly, there have been studies that draw a link between poor oral health and the progression of dementia symptoms. For this reason, we recommend making oral health a priority.

Working closely with your dentist during this difficult time can help to streamline the oral care process and prevent issues from falling between the cracks. Dental care can be distressing for those with dementia, so we can help to create a calm environment that maximises their time in the dentist chair.

Read on to learn our top tips for keeping on top of oral care when supporting a family member with dementia.

Oral care and dementia

Patients with dementia will often experience a decline in their oral health due to the routine nature of dental care. To care for your teeth, you need to brush twice a day and visit the dentist regularly. This can be difficult to manage for individuals with early onset dementia, and those caring for individuals with advanced dementia might face similar obstacles.

However, there are benefits to be seen in helping to maintain good oral health for seniors with dementia. Patients with good overall oral health often enjoy a higher quality of life if they are able to keep their natural teeth for as long as possible.

Patients might also have difficulty communicating pain or changes in their oral health, which makes regular checkups even more essential. It’s not possible to rely on the patient to raise the alarm when something is amiss.

Medications used to treat dementia can also lead to oral health problems like dry mouth. Dry mouth is directly linked to increased oral health problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Supporting patients with timely access to dental care is therefore essential.

Visiting the dentist with dementia

Regular visits should be part of your dementia care routine. This typically means every 6 months, but some patients can go longer without visiting the dentist, provided they have good overall oral health.

Try to book appointments for the time of day when the patient is most receptive and lucid. For many patients, this is the mid morning. We can support you with longer appointment times so that we can explain things to the patient in more detail and give them time to get comfortable.

If extended or surgical treatment is required, we might recommend sedation dentistry to help keep the patient calm. However, we need to balance the risks of the sedation calming the patient versus aggravating their confusion. If there is risk to the patient or the dental team, we might recommend a referral to the hospital for treatment where it can be completed under general anaesthetic.

Supporting the patient at home

Alongside regular checkups, there are things you can do to support the patient at home.

• Make oral care a priority as part of their daily routine. They should brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day. Those with less mobility might benefit from an electric toothbrush to make sure they are achieving good coverage.

• Choose the right products to help make oral care less intimidating. This could include switching to a brush with softer bristles and adding a mouthwash that is designed to target bacteria.

• Think about diet and nutrition as part of the oral care routine. By encouraging healthy food choices, it’s possible to avoid some oral health issues by simply removing certain things from the diet. Cutting down on sugar and sticky sweet foods like raisins and dates could help.

• Break down the oral care routine into smaller steps. These instructions will be easier to follow and be less intimidating. You’ll need to be patient and understanding as the patient works through the steps. Don’t give the next instruction until the previous one has been completed to help avoid overwhelming the patient.

• Monitor for signs of discomfort. They might not be able to communicate when they are in pain, or they might not be able to identify the sensation. Look for signs of favouring one side of the mouth for chewing, issues swallowing, or increased drooling.

• Look for signs of dry mouth. Many medications to treat the symptoms of dementia will lead to dry mouth, which can be very uncomfortable and confusing. Mouthwash is available to help moisturise the mouth. You should also encourage the patient to sip water throughout the day.

• Encourage independence. Rather than taking over their oral care, try to give the patient support and encouragement to continue caring for their own teeth. This will be much less intimidating and less likely to be met with resistance.

Final thoughts on dementia care and oral health

It certainly won’t be easy, but there are ways to maintain good oral health, even as dementia progresses. It often requires an abundance of patience and understanding to help an individual to continue to care for their teeth. Thankfully, help is available from your dentist. We can help you to develop an oral care routine that works for you and your loved one and offer expert advice on how to protect the teeth at every stage in life.