"No Need to Visit the Dentist... Gum Teacher Comes to You" [Turning My Home into a Senior House]

"No Healthy Teeth Left... I Only Wait for the Gum Professor to Visit"
Gwangju's 'Visiting Oral Health Care' Integrated Service
A Common Elderly Care Service Under Japan's Long-Term Care Insurance
Gum Massage to Relax Tense Muscles
Stimulates Salivary Glands and Restores Chewing Function for Sick Elderly
Helps Them Eat Well and Recover Their Health

On October 30 last year, Grandmother Baeyoungim received home oral health care from Professor Kim Eunmi of the Department of Dental Hygiene at Gwangju Health University in an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

"Grandmother, say 'Ah~'. Now, let's start the gum massage."

On October 30th last year, Professor Kim Eun-mi from the Department of Dental Hygiene at Gwangju Health University visited the home of Grandmother Bae Young-im (75), who lives in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Professor Kim laid Grandmother Bae down in the living room and began relaxing her oral muscles. At eighty years old, Grandmother Bae has only two lower teeth left. Even with dentures, chewing food is not easy. Last summer, Grandmother Bae fell while walking downhill with a walker and was hospitalized for two months. After discharge, swallowing food became even more difficult.

"Grandmother, shall we try some gum exercises now? Watch my mouth and follow along. You need to make the gum like a ping-pong ball." Watching Grandmother Bae roll the gum inside her mouth were not only Professor Kim but also Bae’s three younger siblings who visit morning and evening, unable to take their eyes off her.

On October 30 last year, Grandma Baeyoungim received home oral health care from Professor Kim Eunmi of the Department of Dental Hygiene at Gwangju Health University in an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Oral Care Essential for Sick Elderly to Eat Well

Grandmother Bae is a recipient of the ‘Visiting Oral Health Care’ service. Oral care is part of the ‘Integrated Care’ services for local seniors in Buk-gu, Gwangju. She can receive a total of 12 care sessions, and this day was the last visit by Professor Kim. Bae’s siblings planned to learn how to do it by watching and then provide the care themselves going forward.

While gum massage is unfamiliar in Korea, it is a common elderly care service under Japan’s long-term care insurance system. Professor Kim explained, "Even if the body recovers, if one cannot chew food well, they will eat poorly and their health will deteriorate again. Just as muscles need to be relaxed when stiff, we massage the gum muscles to help them eat well and stimulate the salivary glands to aid digestion." Grandmother Bae moved her mouth for a long time, then showed a round gum ball between her wrinkled lips. Her younger sister clapped her hands. "Sister, you did so well! You have to eat well so we can live together longer!"

On October 30th last year, Grandmother Baeyoungim received home oral health care from Professor Kim Eunmi of the Department of Dental Hygiene at Gwangju Health University in an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Grandmother Bae is frailer and smaller than most people. She is less than 150 cm tall and weighs just over 30 kg. Nutrition is of utmost importance to her. Her sixth cousin, Bae Seong-beom, looked at her with sympathy.

"It’s been almost ten years since my sister got sick. After suffering a stroke, she collapsed and one side of her body became paralyzed. Since then, walking has been very difficult, and she often falls and gets hurt. She was certified for long-term care, and since I am a caregiver, I take care of her personally. It takes a full thirty minutes by motorcycle to get here, and I often stop by the market to buy meat and vegetables. But since she has no teeth, she can’t chew well and doesn’t eat properly. However, after consistent mouth exercises, she has improved a lot. Now, if I just cut the side dishes into small pieces with scissors, she finishes a bowl of rice in no time."

"You Have to Eat Well to Live Long at Home"

On October 30th last year, Grandmother Baeyoungim received home oral health care from Professor Kim Eunmi of the Department of Dental Hygiene at Gwangju Health University in an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

When she was younger, Grandmother Bae farmed in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do. Her husband passed away after falling ill, and she lived with her two sons. Then her eldest son drowned and passed away, and her second son died in a traffic accident. Although insurance money was paid out for her sons’ deaths, it ended up in the hands of other relatives. Unable to read or write, Grandmother Bae was helpless. Her younger sister, Bae Young-soon, was heartbroken. "After losing her children, my sister started getting sick. So I rented a house in the apartment where I live and brought her here. Living nearby means I can take care of her and she has someone to rely on."

Now, three younger sisters take turns staying by Grandmother Bae’s side at set times in the morning, noon, and afternoon. Cousin Bae Jong-cheol, who was quietly nearby in the corner of the living room, sneaked over to his sister. Jong-cheol was injured in the head as a child and has physical difficulties but helps his sister with her daily walks once a day. "Sister, you have to eat well." "...." Hard of hearing, Grandmother Bae silently looked at Jong-cheol. He spoke clearly again, "You. Have. To. Eat. Well." Only then did Grandmother Bae respond, "Yes. That’s right. I want to live here a long time watching over you all."