Regular teeth cleaning is essential for optimal oral health when living in a long-term care home.
- Karen De Luca
Introduction
A long-term care home is an excellent place for an elderly loved one to live, but it’s crucial to maintain their oral health. Regular teeth cleaning is necessary for optimal oral health and can be performed by the care staff of the long-term care home or by a dentist. The care staff will provide toothbrushes and mouthwash if needed, but if you’re unsure what type of special equipment your loved one may require, contact Karen at Roving Dental Hygiene. For more information on maintaining good oral health while living in a long-term care home, call us today!
Regular teeth cleaning is essential for optimal oral health when living in a long-term care home.
Dental care is vital for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for people with limited mobility or dexterity. If you have difficulty flossing, ask your home staff to help you with this task.
The care staff of the long-term care home can help with this.
They will assist with dental appointments and special equipment such as toothbrushes and floss, but they may also offer some advice on cleaning your teeth at home.
For example, if you have trouble reaching behind your lower front teeth because they are too close together or if there is an obstacle, such as a bridge between them, then ask for help from one of our trained professionals. The same goes when it comes time to flossing: we know how difficult it can be for some people with limited movement in their hands or arms due to arthritis or another condition; therefore, we will gladly assist anyone who needs extra support when flossing their teeth.
Regular brushing and flossing are important for everyone, but it's especially necessary for people with reduced mobility or dexterity.
In many long-term care homes, residents are able to brush their own teeth in their rooms or bathrooms. However, if you’re unable to do this yourself because of mobility issues (such as limited range of motion), then your caregiver will need to help you with the task. Additionally, if you have dexterity issues (such as arthritis), your caregiver may need to assist with flossing as well. The best way for them to do so is by using an electric toothbrush with a soft head attachment. This makes it easier for your caregiver to reach all areas of your mouth, including the back molars. Electric toothbrushes also tend to be more efficient at removing plaque and bacteria than manual brushes.
Some residents may require special equipment such as floss threaders or electric toothbrushes to clean their teeth.
Some residents may require special equipment such as floss threaders or electric toothbrushes to clean their teeth. Floss threaders are a tool used to help people with limited dexterity clean between their teeth. Electric toothbrushes are an excellent option for those who have trouble using a manual toothbrush and can be easier to use and more effective than manual toothbrushes.
Residents should have Karen from Roving Dental. Hygiene visit regularly to ensure that they are receiving proper dental care while living in a long-term care home.
Regular teeth cleaning is important for optimal oral health when living in a long-term care home. Dental care is important for everyone, but especially for those who are living in a long-term care home and may not be able to see their own dentist as often as they would like or need.
Dental visits can include cleaning, exams, fluoride and Silver Diamine Fluoride applications to stop decay from progressing if needed; these are all things that will help you maintain good oral health while living in your facility.
Conclusion
Good rule of thumb is have a dental professional visit your loved one on a regular basis. If you’re concerned about how often your loved one should be seen, talk with Karen about how often she recommends and what would be best for your loved ones needs.
