Oral hygiene is a vital part of our overall health and has a huge impact on our quality of life. Our mouths enable us to enjoy life’s simple pleasures – sharing a meal with family, enjoying a drink with a friend, reminiscing over old memories, or smiling for a photo. They are central to how we communicate, connect, present ourselves to the world, and ultimately, how we live. This is no different for our loved ones in care homes. It is just as important for them to maintain their oral health in later life, preserving dignity and independence.
Research increasingly shows a strong connection between poor oral care and serious chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, COPD, and pneumonia. Even seemingly minor issues like toothache or ulcers can cause debilitating pain.
The mouth is the entry point to both the digestive and respiratory systems, making it especially vulnerable when exposed to harmful bacteria. Poor oral health can cause tooth decay or gum disease, which can then lead to more serious complications such as malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia – conditions which can be fatal.
Beyond the physical effects, poor oral health can significantly impact mental wellbeing too. Pain, tooth loss, ill-fitting or poorly maintained dentures, and even persistent bad breath can undermine self-confidence, compromise dignity, and diminish overall quality of life.
Research shows that more than half of older adults living in care homes experience tooth decay, compared to 40% of people over 75 who live independently. This makes the promotion of good oral hygiene in care homes especially important – not only as a matter of dental health, but as a vital investment in overall health and wellbeing.
Those living in care homes face heightened risks due to:
Residents with communication difficulties may struggle to express pain, making preventive oral care even more important.
A common issue in care homes is dry mouth, a side-effect often caused by medication. This not only causes discomfort but also worsens oral problems, since saliva plays a natural healing role through antimicrobial properties, proteins, and growth factors. A reduction in saliva makes residents more vulnerable to infection and discomfort.
Older people today are far more likely to retain their natural teeth than previous generations. Decades ago, full teeth removal and dentures were common at a young age due to the poor state of dental health in the population and widespread tooth decay. Thanks to improved dental care since the creation of the NHS, more people are keeping their natural teeth into later life.
While this is worth celebrating, it also makes dental care for older people more complex – particularly in care home settings.
Despite its importance, oral health has not always been treated as a priority in care homes. The CQC ‘Smiling Matters’ report (2019) highlighted:
The report found low awareness of oral health guidelines, inconsistent staff training, and poor integration of oral care into care plans. Families reported that neglecting oral care not only caused health issues but also impacted residents’ dignity and wellbeing.
Examples from families included:
These examples show that oral care is not just about physical health – it also affects confidence, dignity, and emotional wellbeing.
Encouragingly, progress has been made since 2019:
While these figures show positive change, gaps remain. A significant proportion of staff still lack training, and not all care plans cover oral health in full.
NICE guidelines recommend assessing every resident’s oral care needs as soon as they move into a care home, regardless of the length of stay. Families should be involved where appropriate. Assessments should cover:
Practical daily steps include:
In palliative and end-of-life care, oral hygiene becomes particularly important. Many medications reduce saliva production, causing dry mouth and discomfort. With the right products and skilled support, it is possible to prevent pain, improve comfort, and maintain dignity in a person’s final days.
Products that help relieve discomfort at this stage include frequent moisturising of the mouth and lips with hydrators, flavoured swab sticks that are gentle on the mouth, foam sticks for delivering hydration, topical lubricants and gels containing glycerin, and softer, more delicate toothbrush swabs. These options are designed to be kinder to the mouth and residents, supporting both oral health and dignity in their remaining days.
The CQC has stated:
“We want care homes to embrace oral health and ensure that it receives the same priority as physical and mental health.”
At CareHomeLife, we share this commitment. We believe in a holistic approach to care, supporting staff with training, resources, and effective, affordable products to improve and maintain oral health in later life and in care homes. By raising awareness, we can help ensure that residents live with comfort, pride, and dignity.
To learn more about our selection of products to maintain oral health in later life, click below 👇
References:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng48
https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/major-report/smiling-matters-oral-health-care-care-homes
https://www.cqc.org.uk/press-release/cqc-finds-improvements-oral-health-care-homes
