How to Help Your Parent Find Their Smile Again
- brightsmilespro
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
Ensuring a parent is safe, comfortable, and well-cared for is the number one priority for any family caring for a loved one. Navigating the big decisions is worth it to rest easier knowing their primary health needs are met. But in day-to-day life it’s often the small things that have the biggest impact on someone's happiness and social wellbeing. And one of the most powerful, yet overlooked, sources of joy is the simple confidence of a healthy smile.
A smile is the most natural way in which we connect with others. It’s a language of its own that communicates our joy and warmth, and it’s at the core of our most cherished moments, be they a shared laugh with a grandchild, a warm greeting to a friend, or the pride in a family photograph. For our parents in aged care, these moments of connection are vital in light up their day.
The Quiet Retreat
When dental health declines people naturally begin to feel a sense of self-consciousness regarding the state of their teeth. The change is rarely dramatic, it’s quite often a quiet, slow retreat that can be hard for many to perceive.
Have you noticed your parent smiling less often or holding a hand over their mouth when they laugh? Perhaps they’ve begun turning down food they used to love at mealtimes. All these factors could be signs they are quietly facing the degradation of their oral health, such as through a dried mouth or gum disease.
These actions are not necessarily about vanity. It’s about feeling comfortable and, most importantly, feeling like themselves. Studies, such as one conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham, have linked one’s perception of their dental hygiene with their level of self-esteem and mental wellbeing, with poor dental hygiene leading to poorer levels of self-confidence and increased chance of mental ill health [1]. In their research into the Association Between Mental Health and Oral Health, Tamanna Tiwari and their team emphasise the ongoing effects of poor mental health and self-esteem have on contributing to reduced dental hygiene practices creating a cycle of poor dental health exacerbating mental health issues and vice versa [2]. The confidence to eat, speak, and smile without a second thought is fundamental to our wellbeing both socially and mentally. When that confidence is compromised, it can cast a shadow over the very interactions that bring the most joy into their life.
Restoring Comfort and Connection
We believe that quality dental care is about so much more than teeth, it’s about restoring a person's quality of life. We’ve seen firsthand how a healthy mouth and confident smile can raise someone's spirits and uplift their mood. By bringing our gentle, personalised services directly into homes and aged care facilities across the ACT, we help give our patients back the confidence and freedom to be themselves.
Healthy teeth and strong dental hygiene means being able to eat comfortably without ever having to say ‘no’ to a favourite food or a special family dinner. It’s crucial for both nutrition, continued connection, ongoing health and wellbeing. It means telling stories, sharing jokes, and engaging with life without ever holding back due to shame or discomfort. A smile is a core part of a person's identity, our goal is to help your loved ones feel vibrant and confident in theirs.
