{"id":8381,"date":"2022-03-25T09:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T13:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carehop.ca\/?p=8381"},"modified":"2022-04-19T10:58:27","modified_gmt":"2022-04-19T14:58:27","slug":"mouth-care-for-stroke-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carehop.ca\/fr\/blog\/mouth-care-for-stroke-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"Mouth Care for Stroke Patients"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n[et_pb_section fb_built=\u00a0\u00bb1″ admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbsection\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb3.22″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbet_body_layout\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.9.7″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbet_body_layout\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.9.7″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbet_body_layout\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.14.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb hover_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb theme_builder_area=\u00a0\u00bbet_body_layout\u00a0\u00bb sticky_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″]

There are a staggering 50,000 new stroke cases each year in Canada<\/a>, with an estimated 300,000 people currently living with the effects of the condition. If your loved one has experienced a stroke, it can be difficult for them to perform many everyday tasks, including maintaining oral care and hygiene. This is why it\u2019s essential to provide them with support and assistance to protect their oral health.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s delve into common problems associated with poor mouth care for stroke patients and how you can help your loved one in the process.<\/p>\n

How a stroke can affect the mouth<\/h2>\n

Strokes can cause paralysis and affect coordination, which is why it can be difficult for your loved one to function as usual, which is why they may experience difficulty maintaining their mouth care and other hygiene routines. Research suggests there could be a link between poor oral hygiene and an increased risk of getting aspiration pneumonia, a leading cause of death for post-stroke patients.<\/p>\n

This concept is known as the mouth-body connection. The idea is based on scientific research that shows that poor oral hygiene can seriously deteriorate the health of other parts of the body, such as the lungs and the heart. There\u2019s even research that shows that dental problems can potentially cause strokes<\/a> in the first place.<\/p>\n

Therefore, it\u2019s paramount that you, as a caregiver, help your older loved one stay on top of their oral hygiene and lend a helping hand if they\u2019re not capable of doing it themselves. This ensures that they stay healthy post-stroke while they recuperate.<\/p>\n

Oral hygiene care tips for caregivers<\/h2>\n

The stroke recovery process is vital to getting your loved one back to their previous state. It can take from several weeks to many years to fully recover from a stroke, so you should be aware that the process might be a long-term commitment.<\/p>\n

Before you commence, always consider whether you have the appropriate training to conduct oral hygiene care for an older loved one, especially if they\u2019ve suffered from a severe condition like a stroke. You can find information online on how to get the proper training, or it might be prudent to hire an external caregiver<\/a> to take care of your loved one\u2019s personal care needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Oral hygiene isn\u2019t just about brushing the teeth. It also concerns the gums, tongue, and general mouth area. For instance, many practitioners highlight that stroke patients suffer from dry tongues and thick mucus after having the stroke. To help combat this, here\u2019s a list of tools and knowledge you should have ready:<\/p>\n