Healthy mouths and teeth are an important component in our overall health that enables us to eat healthy foods and keep bacteria at bay. Now there’s new information that older adults – especially those in long-term care facilities – are not getting the oral health care they need.
The New York Times wrote an interesting piece last month about the difficulties of providing dental hygiene in nursing homes. The story referenced several statewide studies that found residents of long-term care facilities had poor dental health including debris on their teeth and gums, broken teeth and resistance to aides helping them with dental care.
What I found most interesting were the findings from a systematic review cited in the article that documented the links between poor oral health and pneumonia.
The review was published in 2008 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. It included a total of 15 studies that investigated the effects of oral hygiene on the risk of developing pneumonia and respiratory tract infections. The conclusion surprised me: about one in 10 cases of death from pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents may be prevented by improving oral hygiene. They also found that proper dental care reduced the risk of developing lung infections.
Of course, there are plenty of complicating factors. Many of the studies included in the review used different study designs and statistical methods. And more randomized-controlled trials are needed. In addition, it is often difficult to provide oral care to elderly patients who suffer from dementia and resist help.
But the take-home message is clear: Oral hygiene is an important component of providing sound health care for the elderly. More evidence is needed on the best ways to ensure that nursing home residents receive adequate dental care.
We all know that bad oral hygiene can lead to serious health complications but things are very hard to deal with, especially with elders. Nursing homes should focus more on providing modern and effective dental services but they need both staff and funds.
I also believe that oral health is essential to an older adult’s general health and well-being, yet we know that our grandma’s and grandpa’s are not regular users of dental services. If only they have adequate access to medical and dental care, then it will reduce any serious case of diseases that may affect there over all health. I hope many dentist would consider to provide dental services to elderly patients who have limited access to oral care. To maintain good oral health, it’s important for all individuals, regardless of age to practice good oral hygiene and to visit your dentist in a regular schedule.