Serious Health Conditions Can Result From Poor Dental Hygiene in Nursing Homes

 Posted on August 17, 2022 in Neglect

Illinois nursing homes are responsible for providing their patients with everyday care and support. From feeding and cleaning to comfortable rest and intellectual enrichment, patients are often completely dependent on the staff in residential care facilities to meet their needs. Sadly, nursing homes are often not as diligent about providing excellent staff as they should be, leading to neglect and even abuse. 

One of the first places nursing home neglect often appears is in residents’ dental care. Regular dental care requires daily attention to minute details. Symptoms of derelict dental care appear quickly, making it hard to fake quality dental care where there is none. Problems that start in the mouth rarely stay there; dental problems often snowball into further, more serious issues. Elderly people are at particular risk of contracting illness and disease through poor dental care. Here are some common oral health problems in nursing home residents without proper dental care. 

Common Health Problems From Poor Dental Care

There is a well-established link between oral health and other areas of physical health, and an unhealthy mouth is often correlated with an unhealthy body. This is because dirty teeth and gums are easy conduits for bacteria into the bloodstream. Poor dental care can cause major health problems, including: 

• Heart disease

• Endocarditis from bacteria that travels from the oral cavity to the heart valves 

• Infection that can spread into the sinuses and brain 

• Diabetes

• Cancer 

Symptoms of Poor Dental Hygiene

While everyone knows plaque and bad breath are signs of bad dental habits, many more warning signs can exist. These include, but are not limited to: 

• Ulcers or sores in the mouth

• Bleeding gums

• Hot or cold sensitivity 

• Toothaches

• Loose teeth

• Receding gums

• Cracked teeth 

• Pain when chewing 

• Cavities

• Gum disease 

Elderly people also frequently have problems like dry mouth and receding gums, which can compound poor dental hygiene and make these symptoms worse. 

Meet with a Cook County Nursing Home Injury Lawyer

If you suspect that your loved one’s nursing home is neglecting their dental care, do not wait to take action. Waiting could lead to the introduction of much more serious and difficult-to-treat health issues. Instead, schedule a free consultation with the skilled team of Cook County nursing home injury attorneys with Schwartz Injury Law. We have specific experience with nursing home injuries and can help you assess whether you have cause for concern in your case. Call us now at 312-535-4625. 

Source: 

https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/in-nursing-homes-an-epidemic-of-poor-dental-hygiene/