Combatting Dry Mouth in the Elderly

By Jamie Shapiro | December 23, 2015 | Comments Off on Combatting Dry Mouth in the Elderly

Elderly Care in Evanston IL

When it comes to elder care, combatting dry mouth can be a challenge. Dry mouth can cause serious tooth decay and is a common problem in the elderly. Though common, it should not be considered just a normal part of aging.

As your loved one ages, the amount of medication, prescribed and over-the-counter, increases. Dry mouth is often caused by side effects to these medications. Dry mouth is often a side effect of prescribed medication for medical conditions like depression, allergies, high blood pressure and pain. It can also be caused by side effect to over-the-counter medications, antihistamines and decongestants; as well as illnesses like diabetes and Parkinson’s, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Why dry mouth is especially risky business for the elderly

Dry mouth might not seem like that serious of a problem, and yes, it isn’t chronic. However, a lack of saliva can cause major problems with your loved one’s oral health. Dry mouth decreases a person’s ability to break down food and washer away food particles. It can also cause dentures to become loose and in some more severe cases, make chewing and swallowing almost impossible.

Symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of dry mouth will help you and your loved one protect their oral health and avoid dry mouth. Symptoms include:

●       Bad breath

●       Cracked lips

●       Frequent thirst

●       Mouth sores (inside and outside)

●       Sore throat

●       Tingling or burning feeling in mouth and/or on tongue

 

Causes of dry mouth

There are many things that can cause of dry mouth in the elderly. The most common of which include:

●       Infections

●       Alcohol abuse

●       Mouth trauma

●       Hormone changes

●       Mouth breathing

 

Dry mouth in your loved one also can be a symptom of more serious illness, such as:

●       Anemia

●       Diabetes

●       Parkinson’s Disease

●       Cancer

●       Lupus

●       Sjögren’s Syndrome

 

What you can do about it

Believe it or not, there are many simple things your loved one can do to prevent dry mouth. They are:

●       Chew sugarless gum

●       Avoid chewing and smoking tobacco products

●       Drink extra water with meals

●       Avoid caffeine and alcohol

●       Brush with fluoride toothpaste

●       Avoid sugary drinks and food

●       Use a humidifier at night

●       Get regular dental checkups

●       Avoid spicy or salty food

 

Dry mouth can be an overlooked medical problem. On its own, dry mouth is not serious, but can be a sign of a more serious medical problem in your elderly loved one. Understand the causes, know the symptoms and utilize preventive steps to combat dry mouth and ensure the health of your elderly loved one’s oral health.

 

How home care can help

Your loved one’s home care provider is there to assist your loved one as much as possible. This includes assisting with daily tasks that have become increasingly more difficult as your loved one ages or respite services.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Evanston, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Sources

https://seniorsoralhealth.org/dry-mouth/?doing_wp_cron=1448470168.6683969497680664062500

agingcare.com

 

Jamie Shapiro
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