How Alzheimer’s Can Add Difficulty To Maintaining Good Oral Care
A commitment to maintaining good oral hygiene care is essential to lifelong dental health. As time goes by, the foundation of our oral health will remain regular dental visits. Aging brings with it many challenges, including health conditions that impact our ability to maintain a routine. These concerns can involve loss of cognition, impaired m muscular control, and impacted range of motion. Alzheimer’s is a common concern faced by many as they get older. Recently, rates of diagnosis have been on the rise. Many dental health practitioners have started focusing on providing specialized care for these patients.
How Alzheimer’s Can Add Difficulty To Maintaining Good Oral Care
These increasing diagnosis rates have resulted in Alzheimer’s being ranked as the sixth highest killer of aging Americans. Along the way, it also causes serious impacts on oral hygiene among the elderly. As the condition advances, it impairs their ability to keep schedules, plans and stick to routines. Their oral health is one area impacted by these difficulties.
The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health demonstrates that patients who experience conditions such as Alzheimer’s can fail to track their oral hygiene care. This concern extends to all patients who experience conditions that involve dementia-like symptoms. Dementia has been seeing an increase of ten million diagnosed cases a year worldwide. Nearly half of these patients are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Each year the number of diagnosed patients seems to increase. The root cause is extended lifespans resulting from improved medical care. The search for a cause, however, is still ongoing. What is indisputable, however, is the need for proper oral health care for dementia patients.
How Dentists Can Help Provide Proper Care For Dementia Patients
A central objective of all healthcare providers is the accommodation of care for patients with varying health conditions. Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases are one such condition that requires specific treatment plans to address. Various treatment modifications and techniques have been created to help dementia patients. These include:
- Increased availability of sealants and fluoride for long term defense
- Dementia focused dental treatment plans coordinated with medical care
- Insurance options aimed at covering alternate treatment plans
- Appointment options that accommodate periods of greater focus
The dental industry is dedicated to ensuring that every dental patient has access to dental care that’s effective for them. Steps are being taken to coordinate with family members and caretakers of patients with these conditions. The solutions that are developed take into account the reality of individual patients. Ongoing advancements in medical care provide greater lifespans. Additional steps are needed to maintain their ongoing quality of life for greater periods.
By working with your dentist, you’ll be taking steps to ensure that the care you need is available. Speak to your dental office to determine what accommodations are available for you and your loved ones. The sooner you start, the more effective these options will be. Call your dental provider today to begin planning for a long and healthy future ahead.
