I wasn’t always the Geriatric Tooth fairy. This superpower and passion took some time to brew and develop.
I had a rough upbringing, but there were subtle rays of light that lit up my life every summer that I spent with my grandmother, who I affectionately called “Madea.” She was not “just” my grandmother; she was my mentor, aspiration, my everything.
Most people know that regular brushing and flossing is vital to the health of teeth and gums.
But questions about the use of mouthwash still linger. If no one has cleared up these questions for you, follow along.
The most common question that I’ve come across when providing dental services for seniors is whether people should use mouthwash straight after brushing their teeth.
This is a wonderful question because using mouthwash is a wonderful addition to your oral care routine, especially if you suffer from bad breath.
I once had a 100-year-old patient that I deemed to be mute. She would greet me with a nice, big smile. I talked and cracked jokes trying to keep her smiling every visit. I adored her. I gave her detailed instructions on how to improve her oral health each visit for at least a year.
A healthy mouth with a full set of teeth will keep seniors sharp and healthy.
A mouth with missing teeth, on the other hand, can threaten the mental health of seniors.
A study by researchers from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing found that adults with more tooth loss had 1.48 more risk of developing cognitive impairment and 1.28 risk of being diagnosed with dementia.
