Dry mouth gives poorer quality of life

Severe dry mouth can lead to a significantly impaired quality of life. Dry mouth can occur after cancer treatment, as a side effect of medication and by certain diseases. Patients with severe dry mouth often find that the natural teeth are attacked by an aggressive form of caries that can cause your teeth crumbling away. For individuals, the situation is exacerbated further by the use of conventional dentures is an impossibility because of very delicate mucous membranes. Three dentists, each with a specialized focus on the mouth at the Dental Association Semester Course 2010

Medicine Nest patients, patients who have been in chemo-or radiotherapy and patients with Sjögren's syndrome often suffer from pronounced dry mouth. It can be contributed to the sudden development of caries in as fast a pace that it may be difficult for the dentist and patient to follow. For the patient it is often not only a significant impairment of his or her life, but also large dental bills. It is extremely important that the patient and the surroundings are aware of that, both during and after the difficult time with chemo-or radiotherapy is a need for specific prevention efforts, says overtandlæge, Ph.D. Ole Hovgaard.

He also stresses the importance of the patient to maintain optimal oral health and is aware of the choice of diet. Several means can be used. Among other things, recommended to use a prescription toothpaste with extra large fluorine content. Finally, it is a good idea to arrange more frequent checks at the dentist, because early treatment is crucial for a good result.

The intensive treatment can also be a financial burden for the patient, but there is a genuine opportunity for grants under the Health Act. However, not everyone is aware of the possibility, says Ole overtandlæge Hovgaard, who daily manages the grant scheme in Central Jutland.

We see, unfortunately, many patients who until many years after their cancer treatment become aware of the existence of a subsidy scheme, which involves both the investigation, prevention and treatment. Late intervention impair its ability to prevent major damage. Here, dentists an obligation to provide better advice and guidance, says Ole Hovgaard.

He sits with Professor Flemming Isidor and dental Allan Bardow focus on complications of dry mouth and the possibility of grants Dental Association Semester Course to be held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen on 15-17th april 2010. Semester Course is the largest training event in dentistry and has this year collected over 3000 dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and others interested in dental health.

Elderly patients with dementia suffer from poor oral hygiene

Dementia causes major changes - also in terms of dental health. Research shows that a clear link between dementia and poor oral hygiene. The medicine they are demented, also helps that they get dry mouth, which gives a much greater risk of caries and fungal infections. Dentists, nurses and caregivers should be much more focus on the elderly who can not maintain a normal life.

Birita Ellefsen who is a dentist, assistant professor, Ph.D. and researcher at the School of Dentistry in Copenhagen, has over the last year examined the relationship between dementia and dental health, and the result is striking. Birita Ellefsens study thus shows that the dementia had an average of 7 cavities, even when they were diagnosed with dementia, which says something about the problems that the demented have with their oral hygiene.

It could mean a significant diminution of the quality of life. The consequence of poor oral hygiene may include be pain or discomfort, which may cause difficulty in eating. At worst it may mean that they completely stop eating. It is therefore important that older people with dementia and their families receive the proper guidance on how to relate to dental care when they are diagnosed, emphasizes Birita Ellefsen.

- Dementia patients need a customized dental care. And here dentists the opportunity to make a difference and help to ensure that newly diagnosed dementia patients receive the prevention, care and attention they need. We have a responsibility as health professionals to help cover the care and treatment needs that just in the elderly with dementia, says the invitation from Birita Ellefsen.

Birita Ellefsen is among speakers at the Dental Association's two-day Symposium on 6-7th November. Slightly more than 1,600 dentists and 600 dental assistants participating in the event that has the medical compromised patients as the main theme and takes place in Aarhus, the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel.

- It is always good to get updated - and expanded - its professional knowledge and skills, and of course also applies to dentists. Both for the individual dentist's challenges and everyday life, but also very much aimed at patients. That dentists retraining and follows up with the latest treatments and developments in dentistry, patients come into the chair for the benefit, says Dental Association President Susanne Andersen.