Oral health for older people
Page content: Why is oral health important? |
What are the main oral diseases resulting from dietary factors & poor oral
hygiene? |
What are the risks? |
Oral hygiene for health & happiness |
Common myths |
Important points |
Things to look out for and report to your dentist |
Denture care |
Community dental program | Victorian
denture scheme | Royal Dental Hospital
of Melbourne-Domiciliary Unit | For further information
Why is oral health important?
Oral health plays an important role in the health and well-being of older
people and therefore quality of life.
- Pain and difficulty with eating can lead to poor levels of nutrition
- Poor oral appearance, bad breath and dental incapacity can lead to social
isolation
- Oral disease is now implicated in peptic ulcers, respiratory and cardiovascular
illness
- Dental decay is the most costly diet related disease in Australia ahead
of coronary disease, hypertension and diabetes
What are the main oral diseases resulting from
dietary factors & poor oral hygiene?
What are the risks?
- Age-physical and mental difficulties
- Institutionalisation
- Diets high in sugar
- Low saliva flow
- Chronic medical conditions and oral hygiene
Oral hygiene for health & happiness
For older people especially, a 'well-functioning mouth' offers:
- Clean and stable teeth
- An even bite
- Secure dentures
- Freedom from pain
- Chewing comfort
- Enhanced enjoyment of food
- Adequate nutrition
- Good appearance
- Improved communication
- Fresh breath
Common myths
- 'Tooth loss is an inevitable part of the normal ageing process'
- 'Most teeth are lost as people become 'long in the tooth' because of advancing
gum disease'
- 'All adults are susceptible to severe gum disease'
- 'Today's medications do not reduce saliva flow'
- 'Dental decay is not a common oral disease in the older person and usually
occurs in the young'
- 'Salivary flow decreases in all older people'
Important points
Ideally, teeth should be cleaned twice daily. The aim is to remove the plaque
and food debris from in-between the teeth and around the gum margins.
- Brush all surfaces of the teeth and gums
- Work on two teeth at a time
- Be aware of any loose teeth and brush with care
Things to look out for and report to your dentist
- Painful teeth
- Ulcers lasting more than two weeks
- Gum abscess
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Swelling
- Soreness or cracks in the corner of the mouth
Denture care
- Handle dentures with care and avoid pressure on the weakest points
- Food debris and plaque need to be cleaned from all denture surfaces
- Preferably use a denture brush, toothbrush and water
- Ideally dentures should be removed at night, cleaned and stored in a container
of cold water in a safe place
- Removal of the dentures allows the mouth to rest and prevents fungal
infection
- Check the mouth for ulceration, ill-fitting dentures and food debris
- Calculus can be removed by soaking dentures overnight in one part white
vinegar and two parts water
- Clean over a hand-basin half filled with water to prevent breakage
if dropped
Victorian Public Dental Services Available
Community
dental program
Health Care Card (HCC) or Pension Card (PC) holders are eligible for dental
treatment at Community Dental Clinics. There is a copayment fee for this service.
Victorian denture scheme
The scheme operates through the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and Community
Dental Clinics. HCC and PC holders are eligible for dentures made by a local
dentist or advanced dental technician. There is a fee for this service.
Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne-Domiciliary Unit
This is a free service for HCC and PC holders who are home-bound.
For further information
Contact:
Dental Health
Services Victoria (DHSV)
Telephone: (61 3) 9341 0239
The accompanying fact sheet has been extracted from the Improved
Oral Health for Older People training handbook which was compiled by Dental Health Services
Victoria, The School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Step Group
Training, Brotherhood of St Laurence and RMIT.
The Improved Oral Health for Older People Project is a major strategic
project by DHSV and the School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne through
the ANZ Charitable Trusts and supported by the Department of Human Services.
The project aims to improve oral health in older disadvantaged people living
in supported residential accommodation and in their homes. For further information
email Sam Hudson (hudsons@dhsv.org.au).
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