Of course you want to help your aging parent maintain their wonderful smile, but if they wear dentures, you may not be sure exactly where to start. Many seniors have partial or full dentures, but younger generations often don’t know much about how to care for them since they haven’ experienced them yet.
Dentures can help the elderly with proper speech, chewing, and good oral health. They are also a source of problems if they are not cared for properly, such as fungal infections, mouth sores, and even tooth decay for any remaining natural teeth. If you are wondering how to help your elderly parent take good care of their dentures, here’s a good overview of what you need to know.
Did you know that dentures need to be brushed every day, just like regular teeth? It’s true. Although dentures are not natural teeth, they can still develop stains and be affected by bacteria and tartar. The dentures ought to be rinsed gently to remove food particles, and then gently scrubbed with a soft toothbrush. There are specific denture cleansers on the market but you can also use mild hand soap and rinse with warm water. Never use any kind of bleaching agent on the dentures because it can irreparably damage them. Elderly care assistants that help with grooming and hygiene can be shown what to do to help seniors get ready for their dentures and how to care for them.
Your elderly loved one can wear their dentures all day long, but at night, they should remove them to clean and soak overnight. Using a nonabrasive cleansing solution specifically for dentures, you can soak them overnight to kill any germs and disinfect them. Some dentures only need to soak for a few hours while other manufacturers recommend at least eight hours. Dentists recommend that elderly people with dentures take them out for at least six to eight hours per day to give the mouth tissue a chance to rest and avoid any irritation or soreness. Overnight is usually when elderly people choose to do this.
Wash the denture cleanser off in warm water before helping your aging loved one wear them again in the morning. If elderly care aides help out with your loved one’s bedtime routine, make sure they are aware of the established denture care plan you’ve set up.
Regular dental visits will ensure that your elderly loved one’s dentures are fitting properly and they aren’t experiencing any problems with them. Poorly fitting dentures can cause mouth sores, bad breath and even contribute to gum disease. Because seniors have desensitized nerves in their mouths due to age, they may not notice any problems when they are small, but a dentist will. Dentists will also professionally clean the dentures during the visit and point out any problems with the dentures that may need attention.
Not only are dentures the key to your aging loved one’s self-confidence in their looks and speech, but dentures help them enjoy all their favorite foods and engage with the people they love without holding back. Properly caring for dentures is something that family caregivers need to become more familiar with as they step in to manage their loved one’s daily hygiene and grooming tasks.
Source: https://dentureliving.com/en-us/fixodent-articles/dentures-support/calendar-for-new-denture-wearers
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Dover MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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