Munhälsans betydelse för äldres välbefinnande

Background: Research shows that the oral health of elders, mouth care and experience of well-being in interaction with oral health, are not prioritized high enough. As elders may have worsened physiology, they may be dependant on caregivers to provide care for their oral health. It’s a major responsibility for the nurse to know the importance of oral health for the elders experience of well-being in order to promote health. Purpose: To describe the elders experience of the importance of oral health for the well-being. Method: Qualitative, systematic literature study with descriptive synthesis. Results: The results showed two themes and four subthemes. The first theme was; the interaction between the oral health and quality of life. Second theme was; the interaction between the oral health and the social life. The first theme is followed by; the importance of self-care for well-being and decreased health if the functions of the mouth were failing. The last theme is followed by: social constraints with an unkempt mouth, as enhanced self-esteem with a well-cared mouth. Conclusion: The elders experienced that a well kempt mouth and good oral health promoted the well-being. The self-care of the mouth was experienced as significant for quality of life. Though it could be difficult to take care of the oral health unaided, due to old age or disease. An insufficient oral health could cause social constraints, lowered self-esteem, discomfort and inferior quality of life. Keywords: Literature study, elderly people, mouth care, oral health, quality of life, well-being