Tooth And Gum Care

November 2007

Caregiver Assistance News “C a r i n g

f o r

y o u … c a r i n g

f o r

o t h e r s ”

Tooth and Gum Care Keeping Those Pearly Whites Not all older adults are able to take care of their teeth (or dentures) and gums. However, oral hygiene is important because poor dental hygiene can lead to other problems, such as tooth loss and gingivitis, a painful gum condition. If the person in your care needs assistance in this area, always be patient and explain what you are about to do.

Adapted from The Comfort of Home: Caregiver Series, © 2007 CareTrust Publications. www.comfortofhome.com

Oral Care for Older Adults 1. Gather supplies — disposable gloves, a soft toothbrush, toothpaste or baking soda, warm water in a glass, dental floss, and a bowl. 2. Bring the person to an upright position. 3. If possible, allow the person to clean his or her own teeth. This should be done twice daily and after meals. 4. Be sure the person can spit out water before allowing a sip. Use a water glass for rinsing. 5. If the person in your care cannot brush their own teeth, ask the person to open his or her mouth. Gently brush the front and back teeth up and down. 6. Rinse well by having the person sip water and spit into a bowl. A person who refuses to brush his or her teeth can swish and spit out a fluoridated mouthwash rinse.

Oral Care for the Bedbound If your doctor or nurse approves, use hydrogen peroxide diluted with mouthwash or a glycerin/water solution for mouth rinsing. Plain water is best for those who are very sensitive. Your pharmacist can give advice on a gentle mouthwash. 1. Gather supplies—disposable gloves, Toothettes® (disposable, foam mouth swabs), mouthwash, warm water in a glass, and a bowl. 2. Cleanse the mouth (roof, tongue, lips, and cheeks) with the disposable swab. 3. Swab the mouth with a Toothette® dipped in water and repeat until the foam is gone. 4. Apply a light coat of Vaseline if lips are dry. (Not if person is on oxygen.)

November 2007

Caregiver Assistance N e wsl ett er

Continued from page 1

Denture Cleaning 1. Remove the dentures from the mouth. 2. Run them under water and soak them in cleaner in a denture cup. 3. Rinse the person’s mouth with water or mouthwash. 4. Stimulate (massage) the gums with a very soft toothbrush. 5. Return the dentures to the person’s mouth. Even a person with dentures should have the soft tissues of the mouth checked regularly by a dentist.

❄❆❄

Myth or fact?

It’s a myth that cold weather can make you sick. It’s close quarters and less air circulation that can cause illness. Chilly weather drives people indoors and allows viruses to spread easily. Research shows that getting cold or wet or not wearing a hat has no effect on whether you wind up with a cold. To avoid a cold, washing your hands is the best solution. Any germs you pick up go down the drain, instead of into your body. Source: Lungusa.org

❄❆❄ Preparing the Elderly for a Natural Disaster The latest natural disasters show that people cannot rely on the government to take care of them if disaster strikes. So it makes sense for seniors and people with disabilities to be prepared to cope for several days on their own in case of natural disaster.



© 2007 CareTrust Publications

Three Steps For Safety: 1. Know the specific risks your community faces­— hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, flooding, or freezes. 2. Get emergency supplies ready. 3. Make a plan for the special needs of each older or disabled person. In the event of evacuation, it’s a good idea to have a grab and go bag to take along to a shelter or other evacuation site. This should include at least one change of clothes, several changes of underwear, personal care items and a few days worth of medications. To store up a few days of extra meds, fill prescriptions a couple days early so you accumulate a little extra over time. Be prepared to persuade someone who’s unwilling to depart.

Caregiver Assistance N e ws l ette r

November 2007

Taking Care Of Yourself

eth Take Care of YOUR Te ntal caregivers often have poor de A new study has found that o for plaque and gingivitis—tw health, including a higher risk gums, leading to tooth loss. the ect aff t tha s ion dit con l denta a care of someone with dementi Studies also show that taking even more dental problems. is especially stressful, causing teeth every day and floss So, remember to brush your th and gums. regularly to protect your tee ntology Vol 77 Number 6 Source: Journal of Periodo

Inspiration

Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. ~Will Rogers

Live Life Laughing! Laughing! Live Has Mrs. Kelly paid her bill yet? No, she said her recovery was such a miracle she sent a check to her church instead.

November is National Family Caregiver Month Believe in Yourself. Protect Your Health. Reach Out for Help. Speak Up for Your Rights Become part of National Family Caregiver Association community and receive information and support throughout the year. Visit www.thefamilycaregiver.org for information and support. (800) 896-3650

Dementia Oral Care Tips

© 2007 CareTrust Publications

Good oral hygiene can be a challenge for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia because of the person’s inability to understand and accept help. Useful tips: ¨ Use a mirroring technique by holding a brush and show the person how to brush her teeth by copying you. ¨ Let the dentist know the person has Alzheimer’s, so that an oral care routine can be developed that you are able to implement at home.



Our Purpose

To provide caregivers with critical information enabling them to do their job with confidence, pride, and competence.

Ordering Info From the publishers of Caregiver Series available from… CareTrust Publications LLC PO Box 10283, Portland, OR 97296 800-565-1533 or www.comfortofhome.com Comments and suggestions welcome. ©2007 CareTrust Publications LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any component of this publication is forbidden without a license from the publisher. Some content in this publication is excerpted from The Comfort of Home: Caregivers Series. It is for informational use and not health advice. It is not meant to replace medical care but to supplement it. The publisher assumes no liability with respect to the accuracy, completeness or application of information presented or the reader’s misunderstanding of the text.

Cold-Weather Heartbreak Shoveling snow is hard work, and for people with high blood pressure, it could be a recipe for a heart attack. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels and cause blood to clot more easily. People experience a natural adrenaline surge in the morning. Add to that the vessel-constricting effects of cold weather and a bit of heavy exertion and it puts quite a strain on your cardiovascular system. Fit and healthy people may be able to handle it. But for people with high blood pressure or other heart conditions, it could be risky. Save cold-weather physical activities, such as shoveling the walkway, hiking in the snowy woods, or taking down the outdoor holiday lights, for later in the day. And even then, bundle up and stay warm. And don’t drink alcohol beforehand. Source: RealAge, Inc.

N E X T I S S U E … N utrition an d t h e el d erly

Tooth

and

Gum Care—November 2007

Caregiver Assistance News “C

a r i n g

f o r

y o u

…

Q u i ck

c a r i n g

f o r

o t h e r s

”

Q u i z

1. A hard-bristle toothbrush is best for cleaning teeth. TF 2. A light coating of Vaseline on the lips is OK for anyone to use. TF 3. Gum care is not all that important for people with dentures. TF 4. Cold weather isn’t the cause of wintertime colds. TF 5. Gingivitis is a gum disease. TF 6. Morning is the best time to do heavy outdoor activities during winter. TF 7. Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels and cause blood to clot more easily. TF 8. When a natural disaster occurs, it’s best to wait for the government to handle evacuating the elderly and disabled. TF 9. To store up a few days’ worth of extra medication, fill prescriptions a few days early. TF 10. Good oral hygiene can be a challenge for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia because of the person’s inability to understand and accept help. TF

© 2007 CareTrust Publications

Name ________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________Date_________________________

Answers: 1-F; 2-F; 3-F; 4-T; 5-T; 6-F; 7-T; 8-F; 9-T; 10-T

Poor dental hygiene can lead to other health problems. It is important to care for teeth and gums. Please read this issue and answer True or False to the questions below.