Dementia and Oral Health
Encouraging Oral Care to Prevent and Manage Dementia
Taking care of your oral health has much more important effects than just a shinier and whiter smile.
Studies have shown that poor oral health is closely correlated with increased dementia risk. There are many theories as to why this may occur. Some believe that the increased bacteria in our bloodstream that enter through damaged gums can cause increased inflammation in the body, including the brain. This inflammation is directly related to brain damage and the development of the infamous plaques and tangles that are associated with dementia.
Several other theories also exist about how and why oral bacteria are associated with an increase in one’s risk of developing dementia.
The bottom line is clear, good oral health has far-reaching beneficial effects. Brushing, flossing, and getting regular preventative dental care will do us all good. You probably knew that already but reducing your risk of dementia is one more reason to focus on good, consistent dental care moving forward.
Page contents
- Dementia and Dental Care: How Dementia and Oral Health Are Related
- The Relationship Between Oral Hygiene and Dementia: Challenges for Dementia Patients in Oral Care
- Dementia Medications
- Dementia and Hygiene: How to Maintain Oral Health with Dementia?
- Dementia Oral Hygiene: Oral Care Plan for Someone with Dementia
Dementia and Dental Care:
How Dementia and Oral Health Are Related
The relationship between Dementia and Oral Health is not very direct but indeed an important one. The purpose behind highlighting Dementia and Oral Care is to ensure we understand both the important risks associated with poor dentition and developing dementia as well as the importance of good dental care for those who already have dementia.
Dementia And Hygiene Issues: Why is there a relationship between Dementia and Tooth-decay?
Everyone can face dental problems at some point in their life but why is there a connection between dementia and tooth decay? Even prior to developing clinical symptoms of dementia, individuals at risk may have weaker immune systems for a variety of reasons. There may be some early neglect in oral hygiene that can be related to compromised cognitive abilities.
Gum Disease and Alzheimer’s
A gum disease, periodontitis, caused by harmful bacteria is often responsible for the loosened attachment of teeth to the gums. Several clinical studies have shown the relationship between periodontitis and Alzheimer’s. As bacteria are involved in causing periodontitis, they can enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain. This invasion can lead to negative impacts on the brain. There are several theories relating poor gum disease to dementia including the effects of the bacteria themselves or the inflammation that can be a consequence of the presence of the bacteria.
Dental Health in those with Dementia
Dental health can be challenging to manage for those with dementia for a variety of reasons. Care can be painful, involves a very personal part of the body, and the person with cognitive impairment may not understand the reason for the short-term pain and discomfort involved in dental assessments.
Having regular dental care and checks throughout one’s life is very important. This will reduce future risk of dementia and many other conditions. If one is diagnosed with dementia or any form of cognitive impairment, it is important for them to get prompt dental care before any conditions fester or worsen.
The Relationship Between Oral Hygiene and Dementia:
Challenges for Dementia Patients in Oral Care
Encouraging oral care and hygiene in dementia sufferers is a challenging task and requires many strategic methods. Asking people with dementia to take care of their oral needs or letting someone else help them in this regard requires a lot of patience and convincing. This is because oral hygiene is a personal and sensitive matter and not every person with cognitive impairment is ready to allow others to take care of their personal needs.
- Many people with dementia will resist dental care because of confusion, lack of knowledge or fear of someone else hurting their already sore teeth and gums.
Because of this, it may be exceedingly challenging for caretakers to properly clean the person’s teeth and gums.
- Furthermore, because people with dementia may have trouble communicating, it may be more difficult for caregivers to provide instructions or comprehend the patient’s needs or preferences for oral hygiene procedures.
- Lastly, those with dementia suffer from memory problems and may find it hard to stick to a routine, therefore, reminding them of brushing their teeth and taking care of oral hygiene can lead to frustration and anger for many
If you have a loved one suffering from dementia and struggling with oral hygiene, get the DD oral care guide to ensure a smooth Dementia and oral hygiene journey.
Dementia Medications
Another cause of improper oral health in those with dementia can include side effects from medications for the disease itself. Some medications can lead to dry mouth and reduce saliva production in the mouth. This increases risk of harmful bacteria proliferating in the oral cavity.
The function of saliva in shielding teeth from dental decay is significant. Consequently, the likelihood that someone may experience dental decay can be greatly elevated by experiencing dry mouth. Simultaneously, insufficient salivary flow may contribute to denture discomfort and loosening.
Inform the patient’s caregiver if you observe that they are experiencing dry mouth. It could be wise to look for different medications to avoid this problem. Other than that, there is some general guidance for minimizing the consequences of dry mouth; nevertheless, it is also helpful to discuss any specialist care.
Dementia and Hygiene
How to Maintain Oral Health with Dementia?
Dementia impacts one’s cognitive ability to perform daily tasks with their usual level of attention and precision. This can include poor memory, difficulty in everyday tasks and compromise on personal care and hygiene. What many people don’t know is how dementia takes a toll on one’s oral health.
Those who suffer from dementia are at a greater risk of tooth decay due to a loss of proper tooth care and hygiene maintenance. This leads to teeth falling out or other oral-related conditions. Therefore, getting a dentist with some experience with people who have dementia is highly recommended to ensure proper oral health and care. Here are some dental care tips for people suffering from dementia.
| Brushing your Teeth | While many people don’t pay attention to the importance of brushing their teeth regularly, it is a crucial foundational step to reducing the risk of oral disease. Those with dementia must be encouraged to follow proper hygiene routines including maintaining a regular routine. Ensuring a routine will help individuals stay motivated and attentive to the task at hand. Furthermore, good dental care may also play a key role in preventing further cognitive decline as well. |
| Oral Care Products | Other than regular brushing oral care products for those with dementia, we want to include floss with light threads, mouthwash with minimal chemicals and mouth fresheners with anti-bacterial properties. Using these oral care products is recommended to make up for the improper brushing routine in the later stages of dementia. |
| Appropriate Nutrition | Ensuring appropriate nutrition and a proper diet plays a vital role in the overall health of a dementia patient. When it comes to oral care, dietary choices can make a huge difference. People with dementia are at a greater risk of compromised oral health therefore, soft and nutritiously rich foods are often recommended. They should avoid sweets, sticky gums and other food items that naturally put too much strain on the teeth. Processed foods with high sugar content must also be avoided to prevent the chance of plaque build-up. |
| Regular Dental Visits | Caring for oral health at home is possible with the help of proper techniques, education and consistent aid from a caregiver. But when it comes to maintaining a healthy routine, dental visits should be an integral part of a dementia patient’s routine. These visits ensure everything is healthy at a deeper level. |
Dementia Oral Hygiene: Oral Care Plan for Someone with Dementia
A person suffering from dementia will become less capable as the disease progresses. Although each person’s rate of change will differ significantly, it can generally be categorized into three stages: early, middle, and late. Therefore, it is important to have an oral care plan different for each stage of Dementia:
| Early Stage | Middle Stage | Late Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Offering gentle reminders to maintain oral health | Take the person to the bathroom | Encourage the person to take care of their teeth and help when needed |
| Assist by being physically present during the brushing if needed | Gently encourage brushing and accept if they aren’t ready every single time | Brush their teeth on set times so it becomes a part of their routine |
| Establishing a fixed dental hygiene routine for them | Assist with brushing depending on the person’s ability (brushing with them or brushing their teeth) | Bring a brush to them rather than taking them to the bathroom |
| Keep brushing interesting through new brushes, fragrant toothpaste and a bright bathroom | Accompanying them to dental visits and speaking with the dentists about their condition | Be as positive as possible as there may be some anger and frustration |
| Applauding them for their efforts | Use alternatives like mouthwash and floss | Opting for alternatives like mouthwash |
| Speak about the importance of oral care | Speak about the importance of oral care |
Taking care of your oral health has much more important effects than just a shinier and whiter smile.
Studies have shown that poor oral health is closely correlated with increased dementia risk. There are many theories as to why this may occur. Some believe that the increased bacteria in our bloodstream that enter through damaged gums can cause increased inflammation in the body, including the brain. This inflammation is directly related to brain damage and the development of the infamous plaques and tangles that are associated with dementia.
Several other theories also exist about how and why oral bacteria are associated with an increase in one’s risk of developing dementia.
The bottom line is clear, good oral health has far-reaching beneficial effects. Brushing, flossing, and getting regular preventative dental care will do us all good. You probably knew that already but reducing your risk of dementia is one more reason to focus on good, consistent dental care moving forward.
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