Dental Care for Seniors with Limited Mobility: A Guide for Caregivers
Caring for Our Elders' Oral Health
Caring for our elders means prioritizing their comfort and health, especially when mobility becomes a challenge. Here are five essential tips to help navigate senior dental care:
1. Be Proactive
The best time to act is now. While your loved one is still mobile and can engage in the process, schedule a visit. Our hygiene clinic is fully wheelchair accessible, and we collaborate with dentists in our building for same-day exams and X-rays. We can even escort patients to their appointments to ensure a smooth transition.
Don't wait for an emergency to arise. Prevention is always easier than treatment.
2. Maximize the CDCP
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a game-changer for seniors. It covers cleanings, dentures, fillings, and dental exams. The modest co-payment is well worth the peace of mind and comfort it provides. If your loved one qualifies, make sure they're enrolled.
3. Know Your Mobile Options
If getting to a clinic is impossible, help can come to you:
- CIUSSS Montréal has dental residents who travel to provide care—check with your local CHSLD for availability
- Maimonides Geriatric Centre offers a dental clinic on Thursdays for residents and outside patients. It's free, but the waitlist is long—get on it early!
- Our own mobile services can bring professional dental hygiene care directly to your home
- Always clean the face first—food residue around the mouth can cause skin infections
- Check the toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet. If it's stiff with dried toothpaste, it's painful to use. This is often why seniors refuse to brush
- Replace toothbrushes regularly and keep them clean
4. Use the Right Tools
Ditch the electric toothbrush if the vibrations cause distress. Instead, try a 3-sided toothbrush—it's a game-changer! It cleans all tooth surfaces simultaneously, making brushing faster and more effective.
Use a small amount of high-fluoride or hydroxyapatite toothpaste, and don't rinse afterward. Letting the fluoride sit on the teeth provides maximum protection.
5. Prioritize Hygiene and Observation
The Heart of the Matter
There are options available to facilitate the dental care needs of your loved ones. The key is understanding, patience, and consistency. Humour and music help too!
Remember: if you approach their care with an open mind and gentleness, you have every chance of succeeding.
Many of my patients with advanced dementia have been declared a "lost cause." They are not. With the right approach, quality dental care is absolutely possible.
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Questions about senior dental care? Contact us at 514-431-1999 or visit our clinic at 6600 Trans-Canada Highway, Suite 510, Pointe-Claire.