Effects of stroke

• Dry mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Weak face muscles
• Weak tongue muscles
• Reduced feeling in your mouth
• Arm and hand weakness

The effects of stroke can impact your ability to clean your teeth and gums

• This may lead to a build-up of leftover food in your mouth.
• Increase the amount of acid that stays in your mouth.
• Leads to tooth decay and gum disease.

The effects of your stroke could change in the way you clean your teeth and gums. Over time you could develop gum disease, tooth decay and tooth wear.

Getting help

Speak to any health care provider about your oral health concerns. If this is not your dental practitioner, this could be your:

• GP
• physio
• speech pathologist

Ask them to refer you to a dental practitioner close to your home. Speaking up is the best way to address any oral health concern.

A healthy mouth makes you look and feel good

A healthy mouth improves:

• sensation in your mouth
• your speech
• your general health.

A healthy mouth reduces your risk of

• Pneumonia
• Gum disease and tooth decay

Tips

• Brush your teeth 2 times a day.
• Consider an electronic toothbrush for an easier clean.
• Use thicker toothbrush handles to assist grip.
• After brushing your teeth, remember to spit, not rinse.
• Use low-foaming toothpaste with fluoride.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Sit upright to eat and drink.
• Speak to any healthcare provider about your oral health.

Caregivers - how you can help

• Don’t forget oral health. Teeth must be brushed twice a day. Dentures must be cleaned daily and taken out at night and left dry.
• Check your client’s mouth after every meal for leftover food.
• Be mindful that it may feel strange or uncomfortable for your client to receive oral care.
• Use a “Tell-Show-Do” approach. Tell your client what you will do. Show them. Do what you said.
• Encourage regular dental visits. Tell the dentist of any changes you notice, such as redness, swelling or smell.
• Ensure that your client drinks water throughout the day.

Patients on modified diets should always follow advice from their speech pathologist.

Dental services in NSW

NSW Public Dental Services provide free dental to adults who have a Medicare card and either hold or are listed as a dependent on a valid Australian Government concession card.

Public Dental Services are free for children under 18 years old with a Medicare card. Parents or guardians must sign a Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) Bulk Billing Patient Consent Form. If a child is not eligible for CDBS or has already used their benefit, care is still provided at no cost.

To access NSW Public Dental Services call: 1800 679 336

If you need an Interpreter Service call 13 14 50.

Some Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) provide dental care for their community. Each ACCHO may have different eligibility criteria and appointment processes for their dental programs. For more information, go to www.ahmrc.org.au

To find a private dentist, go to www.ada.org.au