- 期刊
失智症病人的口腔變化與牙科治療
The Changes of Oral Cavity and Dental Treatments in Dementia Patients
摘要
臺灣的失智症患者，盛行率日漸增加。失智症的主要症狀在認知功能及記憶的喪失，並逐漸失去自理能力、社交能力。而口腔照護能力的喪失及部分用藥，易造成牙周病、乾口症，牙根齲齒等。隨著病程進展，患者將不易與醫師溝通且難以配合牙科治療。近年來的失智症與牙科相關的研究顯示:口腔衛生的維護與咀嚼功能的維持，皆有助於失智症的預防。對於失智症老人的牙科治療，建議應在患病初期早期會診，給予全面性的牙科疾病治療，但需設計讓口腔清潔較容易維持的治療計畫，並定期追蹤。一旦病程進入後期，患者已無法接受密集性長時間的牙科治療，牙科追蹤時，將著重照護者對病患之口腔清潔的衛教，避免口腔疾病的惡化，並預防新的口腔疾病發生。
並列摘要
The prevalence of dementia among elderly in Taiwan has been increasing with the aging of the population. The main symptoms of dementia include reduced cognitive function, memory loss, and gradual loss of self-care ability and social skills. The lack of adequate oral hygiene and the side effects of medications have been shown to increase the risk of periodontal diseases, xerostomia, root caries and other diseases. As dementia progresses, it becomes more difficult for the patients to communicate and cooperate with dentists to receive further treatments. Current research regarding dementia and dentistry shows that maintaining oral hygiene and masticatory functions contribute to the prevention of dementia. With regards to dental care for the elderly with dementia, it is advisable to consult the dentist in early stages of dementia for comprehensive treatment. Plans should be designed for regular follow up and maintenance of oral hygiene for the patients. Once dementia progresses to the later stages, the patients can no longer receive intensive dental treatments. The goal should then be focused on oral hygiene instructions to avoid exacerbating of existing oral diseases and to prevent new oral diseases from developing.