How can the elderly maintain oral health?

Oral health management for the elderly is an important and often neglected area in geriatric medicine. As they age, they often have a variety of problems with their oral health, such as periodontal disease, dental caries, tooth loss, oral mucosal lesions, etc. These problems not only affect the chewing, swallowing and pronunciation functions of the elderly, but may also have a negative impact on their nutritional intake, social activities and mental health.

Healthy oral care is essential for older adults. Here are some suggestions:

1. Daily oral hygiene

1. Brush your teeth: Brush your teeth every morning and evening, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and the correct brushing method, such as the Bass brushing method. Avoid brushing horizontally to avoid damaging the gums and teeth. Brush your teeth for at least 3 minutes to ensure that all surfaces of the teeth are cleaned.

2. Use dental floss: Dental floss can effectively clean dirt and bacteria on the adjacent surfaces of teeth, preventing interproximal caries and periodontal disease. The elderly should learn to use dental floss correctly and use it at least once a day.

3. Rinse your mouth: Rinse your mouth promptly after meals to remove food residues and some bacteria. You can use warm water or light salt water to rinse your mouth, or you can choose a mouthwash with antibacterial effects, but it is not suitable for long-term use.

2. Dietary precautions

1. Control the intake of sweets: Reduce the consumption of sweets such as candy and cakes, as sweets can easily cause tooth decay. If you eat sweets, you should rinse your mouth or brush your teeth in time.

2. Eat more fiber-rich foods: such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc. These foods help clean teeth, stimulate saliva secretion, and are beneficial to oral health.

3. Avoid hard foods: The teeth of the elderly may be worn, loose, etc., so they should avoid eating hard foods such as nuts, bones, etc. to avoid damaging their teeth.

4. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Smoking and excessive drinking can have adverse effects on oral health and increase the risk of oral cancer and other diseases. Therefore, the elderly should quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption as soon as possible.

3. Regular oral examination

1. Frequency: It is best for the elderly to have a dental examination every six months to detect and deal with oral problems in a timely manner.

2. Examination contents: including oral hygiene conditions, tooth caries, health of gums and periodontal tissues, whether there are lesions in the oral mucosa, etc.

4. Treat oral diseases promptly

1. Tooth decay: If tooth decay is found, it should be filled in time to avoid the decay cavity from deepening and causing more serious diseases such as pulpitis and apical periodontitis.

2. Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is a common oral disease in the elderly, manifested by bleeding gums, loose teeth, etc. Periodontal treatment, such as cleaning and scaling, should be carried out in a timely manner to control the progression of the disease.

3. Oral mucosal lesions: If you find abnormal lesions such as ulcers, leukoplakia, erythema, etc. on the oral mucosa, you should seek medical attention in time for a pathological examination to rule out the possibility of malignant lesions.

5. Restoring missing teeth

1. Importance: Missing teeth can affect chewing function, lead to indigestion, and affect facial appearance and pronunciation. Elderly people should repair missing teeth in time to restore oral function.

2. Restoration method: You can choose removable dentures, fixed dentures or dental implants according to your own situation. Good oral health can not only improve appetite and digestion, but also enhance self-confidence and improve overall health.

In short, the elderly should pay attention to oral health management and maintain oral health and improve their quality of life through daily cleaning, a reasonable diet, regular check-ups and timely treatment.