Oral Care for Persons with Dementia - Doctor Q&A

Providing good oral care when caring for a loved one with dementia: Why it matters more than you think 

When you're supporting a loved one with dementia, brushing their teeth may seems like a minor task compared to the many challenges you're managing.

But here's something many caregivers don’t realise: good oral care can significantly impact your loved one's overall health. 

Poor dental hygiene doesn't just lead to bad breath or toothache — though these can certainly affect comfort and quality of life. For people with dementia, poor oral health can become dangerous.

Bacteria from unclean teeth and gums can enter the lungs and lead to aspiration pneumonia, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. People with dementia often have weaker immune systems, hence they’re at even greater risk. 

But let's be honest —  nowing oral care is important doesn’t make it easy. Helping someone with dementia brush their teeth can feel overwhelming. They might not understand what you're trying to do, resist your attempts, or struggle to swallow safely. Many caregivers feel frustrated, worried about causing distress, or simply sure where to start. 

The good news? There are practical ways to make oral care safer, simpler, and less stressful for both patient and caregivers. 

If you have questions about providing oral care to persons with dementia, send in your questions now! 

Clin Asst Prof Yang Jingrong will share proven strategies that work in real life — from gentle approaches that reduce resistance to adaptive tools designed to make cleaning easier.

Whether you're a family member, professional caregiver or healthcare worker, these tips can help you provide effective oral care while preserving the comfort, dignity, and establishing a connection with your loved one .

Clinical Assistant Professor Yang Jingrong is a senior consultant with the Periodontics Unit, Department of Restorative Dentistry at NDCS.

She is the current Lead for the Oral Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Committee under the Office of Population Oral Health.

As the previous Head of the Special Care Dentistry Unit from 2019-2025, she has championed the Oral Health Education Programme since 2019, an education programme to train non-dental healthcare professionals on providing oral care to persons requiring special assistance.

She is also the Programme Director of the Building Resources for Improving Dementia Caregiver Education (BRIDGE), which aims to provide oral care education to caregivers of persons living with dementia.

Ref: F26