Dementia and dental care
Caring for the dental needs of a person with dementia requires monitoring dietary habits, ensuring the regular use of fluoride, helping with oral hygiene and denture hygiene.
People with dementia can rapidly develop tooth decay with severe consequences to their comfort, appearance and health. If you are caring for someone with dementia, follow these guidelines to help secure a healthy mouth for the person you care about.
Diet
- Always use artificial sweeteners in tea and coffee.
- Try to avoid constantly having sugary snacks and drinks and sucking on lollies.
- Encourage the person with dementia to drink water instead of sugary drinks or use diet varieties since they contain artificial sweeteners.
- If the person with dementia suffers from dry mouth, use an artificial saliva such as 'salube' prior to eating.
Fluoride
- Fluoride toothpaste should be used to brush natural teeth both in the morning and in the evening.
- If possible, fluoride mouth rinse should be used after lunchtime to protect teeth from tooth decay. If rinsing is difficult for the person, the mouth rinse can be put in an atomiser and sprayed onto the teeth. Fluoride mouth rinse or spray will also help control bad breath. Fluoride mouth rinse can be bought from any pharmacy, (e.g. Dentamint).
Oral hygiene
- All surfaces of all teeth should be brushed using a soft toothbrush twice each day and always use fluoride toothpaste. People with dementia will need help to do a thorough job.
- Where no teeth are present, the gums should be brushed daily.
Denture care
- Dentures should be rinsed after every meal.
- Dentures should be thoroughly brushed with a toothbrush, denture brush or a soft nailbrush once each day. People with dementia will need help to prevent oral diseases caused by poor denture hygiene.
- Always ensure that a face washer is placed in the sink when cleaning a denture so that it if is dropped, the denture will not be cracked. Alternatively, fill the sink with 5 cm of water.
- Toothpaste is too abrasive to use on clean dentures. Soap on a toothbrush is recommended.
- Dentures should be removed overnight and soaked in water.
- All dentures of people with dementia in residential care should be marked with the owner's initials.
Dental visits
- Everybody requires regular check-ups from a dentist. This includes people who have no natural teeth left.
- When escorting a person with dementia to the dentist, ensure a full medical history is available for the dentist. Take a list of their medications to the dental visit. Many large dental hospitals have staff who specialise in the treatment of people with special needs. If you have any difficulties finding dental care for the person you are caring for, phone the dental hospital nearest to you for advice.
Last Reviewed: 09 March 2001
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