Promoting Good Dental Hygiene in Seniors

Edmonton Senior Health  |  April 9, 2018

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene in Seniors | April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Here is some information for senior citizens on common dental concerns such as oral cancer and tips to achieve healthy teeth and gums.

Comfort Keepers Caregivers are aware of these provisions and assist in maintaining dental hygiene as a part of a healthy lifestyle.

April is #OralCancerAwareness Month

Senior Dental Concerns 

While there are many dental concerns for people of all ages, the most common issues related to older age include:

• darkened teeth
• dry mouth
• loss of the sense of taste
• gum disease
• losing or lost teeth
• root decay
• uneven jawbones

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a serious dental concern that can occur anywhere in the mouth or throat. Luckily, oral cancer is preventable with good oral hygiene. In addition to standard good habits like daily brushing and flossing, seniors must visit the dentist and receive oral examinations regularly.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer Include:

• • white or red patches in the mouth
  • lumps
  • sores
  • irritations in the mouth or on the lips or throat
  • difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • swelling of the mouth or jaw

What to Expect at an Oral Examination

During an oral exam, seniors can expect a dental cleaning, during which a dental hygienist will remove built-up plaque and tartar, brush the teeth with a high-powered toothbrush, and floss the teeth in all areas, including hard-to-reach sections. A hygienist can also provide older adults and seniors with good oral hygiene advice.

After cleaning, a dentist will perform the oral exam. The dentist will ask questions about changes in the mouth, tooth sensitivity or looseness, difficulty swallowing or chewing, and will also examine any lumps, bumps, swelling, pain, or discomfort in the mouth.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elder Care!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with retirement care, 24-hour care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers®’ are trained caregivers who help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Home Care Edmonton

To learn more about senior care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office to discuss our unique service offering. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Is Invoicing Modelling and Client Direct Home Care the Right Option for You?

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Recently awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada, our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

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