Spend March 20th learning more about oral health statistics. World Oral Health Day is designed to raise awareness of the importance of oral care and the things that people today are and are not doing well. Having personal care at home for your senior loved one can help them keep up with their oral care routine.

Many Older Adult Have Cavities

Between 2011 and 2016, 96% of U.S. adults over the age of 64 had at least one cavity, and not everyone gets them treated. About 17% of older adults have untreated cavities. On average, a person 65 or older has 17 teeth with fillings, untreated cavities, or that have been pulled.

As a cavity is caused by decaying dentin, it’s important to get cavities filled ASAP. If the decay reaches the pulp and tooth roots, it can lead to tooth loss or the necessity of a root canal.

Tooth Loss in Those with Chronic Health Conditions

The risk of tooth loss is 50% higher in people with one of seven chronic health conditions:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Emphysema
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Stroke

Some of the problem is that it can be harder for people with these health issues to regularly see a dentist. Sometimes, the number of appointments with a doctor and cost of that care is too much for the patient to also add dental bills to the mix.

Medicare doesn’t cover dental bills without a separate add-on policy, so it can make it harder for older adults to see a dentist regularly. It’s worth talking to your dad about his dental care coverage and see if he has any policy in place.

Gum Disease Affects Quality of Life

Gum disease affects the gums and bones that support the teeth. About 46% of all U.S. adults have gum disease.

If gum disease is not caught and treated early, it can lead to tooth loss or infection that spreads to the bloodstream. Tooth loss affects what foods your dad is able to eat, which increases the risk of malnutrition. Regular dental visits are the only way to catch gum disease before it increases in severity.

Trouble with Brushing and Flossing

Make sure your dad is taking care of his teeth. Arthritis can make the joints in his fingers too stiff to properly floss or position a toothbrush at the correct angle for brushing. Arrange personal care at home services to help him with oral care.

His caregiver can brush and floss his teeth and help with other oral hygiene tasks like rinsing with mouthwash or brushing his tongue. If he has dentures, his caregiver can guide him through the proper cleaning procedures.

Personal care at home services assist with oral care and much more. Whether your dad needs help with showering and dressing or nail care and shaving, his caregivers help with all of it. Call an expert in home care to learn more.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Personal Care at Home in Simpsonville, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.  Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding area.

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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