Why oral health and mouth care matter

NICE recommends that adults admitted to a care home have their mouth care needs assessed on admission and that these needs are recorded in the personal care plan. Mouth care needs are not always obvious and self-care may already have declined before admission.

CQC and Skills for Care highlight that poor oral health can affect eating, drinking, taking medicines, dignity and quality of life. In care homes, mouth care is part of safe daily care, not an optional extra awaiting the next dental visit.

Why the mouth matters in everyday care

• Comfort: pain, dry mouth and sore gums can cause distress or changes in behaviour.
• Nutrition and hydration: a sore mouth can make food and drink difficult to manage.
• Medicines: mouth pain or dryness can make tablets, inhalers or other oral medicines harder to use.
• Communication and dignity: people may withdraw from talking, smiling or social contact.
• Changing needs: dementia, frailty, stroke, dysphagia or reduced dexterity can change mouth care needs over time.

When mouth care is missed, the effects often show up first in comfort, eating, drinking and dignity.