Why Dentistry is so Important for Assisted Living Patients

Most people are well aware of the unique medical needs of seniors in assisted living facilities; one of the most helpful aspects of this kind of facility is how integrated medical care is into daily life.

However, many people don’t consider the importance of oral healthcare for seniors in assisted living homes. Often, dentistry is conspicuously absent from the services that these facilities offer, which means that the impetus is often on loved ones to get the necessary dental care. Here’s why regular checkups are critically important to seniors’ quality of life, and some of the unique challenges they’ll face at the dentist’s office.

Dental Hygiene

Seniors in assisted living often wind up in there because they’re dealing with some serious health conditions. This can be a physical disability, but seniors could also enter assisted living due to dementia or other mental disorders.

These health conditions can make regular dental hygiene more difficult, which increases the odds that assisted living patients will develop oral health problems. Frequent dental trips give a professional an opportunity to do some of the cleaning these patients aren’t able to do on their own.

Gum Disease

Dental hygiene is also critically important for seniors because of their increased likelihood of developing certain oral health problems. Gum disease is one of the most prominent examples; around 50% of adults in the U.S. have some kind of periodontal infection, but that number is considerably higher among people over 65.

The thought is that older people have more mature bacterial colonies in their mouths, which means that even a little slip in consistent dental hygiene can give those bacteria the opportunity to attack. Checkups allow a dentist to check the development of gum disease in seniors, and to treat them if the condition is present.

Missing Teeth

Seniors are much more prone to tooth loss than younger people. Having fewer teeth makes talking and eating considerably harder, which can affect the overall quality of people’s life. A good dentist can try and help seniors to keep more of their teeth, and advise them on tooth replacements options if they do lose them.

When seniors move into assisted living, that’s the start of a new chapter in their life. A good dentist can help make that chapter a happy one!

About Our Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, we believe that great dental care should be stress-free and tailored to your precise needs. We have several locations all over DFW, meaning that you can get the high-quality care you deserve no matter where you are. We also have both general dentists and specialists on staff so that our patients never have to run around town finding the right dentist for their unique issue.

If you have any questions about the importance of dental care for seniors, we can be reached at our website. You can also call our Coit Rd location at 972-490-1600.