Alzheimer’s Disease and dental management

AMMAN — Dementia is a condition of impaired intelligence, memory, and cognitive function that interferes with everyday activities. It is usually associated with aging and the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease (AD).اضافة اعلان

In this article, we will be looking at effects of Alzheimer’s disease on oral health and enhancing the protocol of proper dental management for patients suffering from it.

Effect of AD on dental health

The chief problems of persons with AD and other types of dementia are behavioral.

In the early stages, dental appointments and instructions are forgotten. Later, there is progressive neglect of oral health because patients forget how and the need to brush the teeth or clean dentures.

Oral dysfunctions such as sucking reflex or involuntary oral movements limit dental function, and good muscular coordination is necessary for the stability of a denture during use. 
Successful management of poor oral status by multiple restorations, crowns, bridges, or dentures is a difficult challenge in patients with AD.

Preventative dental care measures in early stages of AD 

Regular dental checkups at early stages are the key factor in prevention. Visiting the dentist every six months provides the caregiver with suitable oral hygiene instructions which include cleaning using brushes, mouthwash, and flossing to prevent any dental complications in the future.

Cleaning with compromised manual dexterity is a real challenge especially when the patient starts to forget how to do basic brushing and flossing. 
Advise them to start by providing short and simple instructions.

Caregivers can also try a “watch me” technique and physically show patients how to care for their mouth. Some days, it may be too difficult and that’s okay. 
Don’t stress and try again the next day. Encourage them to experiment with different methods to find what works best for the patient. 

Signs your loved one is having a dental issue 

Several behaviors that indicate someone with AD is having a dental problem include the refusal to eat (especially hard or cold); frequent pulling of the face and mouth; leaving previously worn dentures out of the mouth; increased restlessness, moaning and shouting; disturbed sleep; the refusal to take part in daily activities; aggressive behavior; and drooling.

 Looking for the reason for behavioral change as soon as you notice it is important.

Some of the ways you can make sure your loved one with AD has good oral health include but are not limited to: making sure there is no foul smell in breath, no change in appetite, no drooling, and no intra oral or extra oral swelling. 
Please note that regular dental checkups are what guarantee good oral health.

How to keep dentures in good form

Some people living with dementia will have dentures. It is crucial that the dentures are kept clean and are replaced if they become loose. If someone has recently received dentures to replace lost teeth, they may need support in forming new cleaning habits. Here are some of the ways you can help: Encourage patients to clean their dentures twice daily or do it for them if they are unable; use a soft-bristled brush if there are no natural teeth for a gentler clean; encourage them to clean their remaining teeth or gums before they go to bed; speak to a dentist about getting a second set of dentures made; make sure you speak with staff at any new care setting to let them know the person has dentures and ask where they can store them safely; make sure the dentures are cleaned over a bowl or sink of water so that they won’t break if you drop them; clean the dentures with a special denture brush and denture paste or non-perfumed liquid soap and water to remove all food and plaque deposits; do not rely on an overnight tablet; and make sure they take their dentures out overnight.



(Photo: Handout by Health Hub)


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