Download Northern California Northern Nevada Oral Health Problems and

Northern California Northern Nevada
Oral Health Problems and Dementia
The leading oral diseases are tooth decay (dental caries) and gum (periodontal) disease.
Both of these diseases can cause pain, which can exacerbate the confusion associated
with dementia. Because people with dementia may not be able to recognize or express
their discomfort, it is important for them to have regular oral health screenings – whether
they have teeth, dentures or no teeth at all. Other dental problems that can be identified
by a professional screening include infection or abscesses, loose teeth that could
become dislodged and be inhaled, oral cancer, loose or poorly fitting dentures and drymouth. Gum disease can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, where they travel to
the heart, lungs, kidneys and other parts of the body, increasing the risk for heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, and other medical problems.
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is the condition of not having enough saliva to wash away food
and neutralize plaque. In addition to causing such problems as difficulty swallowing and
speaking, burning sensations or loss of taste, dry mouth can also lead to rampant tooth
decay, periodontal disease, oral infections and pain. There are more than 500 commonly
prescribed medications that cause dry mouth, including antihistamines, diuretics, pain
killers, NSAIDS, high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics and
sedatives.
There are several behavioral changes that may indicate that someone with dementia is
experiencing a dental problem, including:
• frequent pulling at the face or mouth
• refusal to eat (particularly hard or cold foods)
• refusal to wear dentures (that they were previously wearing)
• increased restlessness, moaning, shouting or aggressive behavior
• refusal to take part in normal daily activities
For some people with dementia, a trip to the dentist’s office, the strange faces and the
unfamiliar surroundings can exacerbate their confusion, making treatment difficult, if not
impossible. You may need to locate a dentist who can make a home visit for an
examination, and can treat your loved one under I.V. sedation or general anesthesia.
Written by David M. Blende, DDS, Special Needs Dentist. For more, call the
Helpline (800-272-3900).