What Could Happen to a Nursing Home Resident Who Doesn’t Get Dental Care nursing home resident with toothache Gray & WhiteYou’ve heard it before. Daily oral hygiene and routine dental care are essential to your overall health and wellbeing. This remains true for your whole life – even if you are in a nursing home.

Three Risks for Nursing Home Residents Who Don’t Get Reasonable Dental Care

An occasional skipped tooth brushing or a missed dental appointment does not result in an injury. However, a continued lack of daily oral hygiene or failure to see a dentist can result in nursing home injuries such as:

Cavities, Root Cavities, and Other Painful Dental Problems

These conditions can spread quickly and become difficult to treat in older people.

Malnutrition

Mouth pain can make it unpleasant to eat. This can lead to malnutrition which is a dangerous, potentially life-threatening condition for an older person.

Infections

Dental infections can spread to the jaw, head, neck, and other parts of the body. Sometimes, sepsis can occur, and the infection can be life-threatening. All nursing homes have a duty to provide reasonable care to nursing home residents. Dental care is part this duty of care, and the failure to provide it may be considered nursing home negligence.

Has Your Loved One Been Injured in a Nursing Home?

If you believe your loved one is being subjected to nursing home abuse you need to speak with an experienced Louisville nursing home abuse attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.