Dental hygiene may easily be overlooked, but it's an important part of keeping Alzheimer's patients comfortable and healthy. As we age, adults in general tend to have dental problems that can cause pain or make it difficult to chew, swallow, and speak. These problems become even more common when a person forgets to brush his teeth, how to use a toothbrush, or how to keep her dentures clean. A few helpful tips:

• Try to go to a dentist who knows how to work with people who have Alzheimer's disease.
• Ask if the office and dental chair are wheelchair accessible, if that is needed.
• Tell the dentist all the medications the person is taking before starting dental treatment.
• Find out how many visits will be needed.
• Ask about alternative options to the treatment that may be easy for the person with AD to tolerate.
• For low-cost dental programs, check with university dental schools or the local Area Agency on Aging.