Dental advice

blue eyes

Registered User
Nov 6, 2014
21
0
My husband has beautiful teeth with very few fillings. However as the disease progresses he no longer brushes his teeth properly He will not open his mouth to allow me brush the back of his teeth .Would appreciate any advice
 

sleepless

Registered User
Feb 19, 2010
3,223
0
The Sweet North
Have you tried 'prompting' him by putting his toothbrush ready with toothpaste on?

My husband would not remember/think now to brush his teeth so I always have to suggest it and hand him his toothbrush, prompt him to spit out etc.

Sorry if this is no help, maybe others will suggest something?
 

Spamar

Registered User
Oct 5, 2013
7,723
0
Suffolk
I do the same as you sleepless, put the paste on the brush, even though I am there supervising.
 

marionq

Registered User
Apr 24, 2013
6,449
0
Scotland
I seem to remember some kind of chewing gum toothpaste. Would that work for him? Will look it up.


Googled it and there were a few choices of strips of gum which acted as tooth cleaner. Worth trying.
 
Last edited:

blue eyes

Registered User
Nov 6, 2014
21
0
I seem to remember some kind of chewing gum toothpaste. Would that work for him? Will look it up.


Googled it and there were a few choices of strips of gum which acted as tooth cleaner. Worth trying.
Thank you for your replies. Yes I do all of those things ie. wet the brush , put the toothpaste on ,put it into his hand and direct to his mouth. He will brush one side maybe the front teeth then seems to lose concentration. No problem so far getting him to rinse out. The back of his teeth do not get brushed. I try to get the brush in but he closes his teeth so its impossible. I open and close my mouth trying to prompt him but too no avail. As regards the chewing gum I think he might swallow it.
 

marmarlade

Registered User
Jan 26, 2015
183
0
brushing teeth

my hubby is in care and the staff there all have the same problem at times the first 3or 4weeks he went in i dont think anyone could brush his teeth even now its hit and miss if they get brushed and i had the same problem at home and never really found a way round it sometimes it worked sometimes it didnt so have gave up worrying about it
 

tre

Registered User
Sep 23, 2008
1,352
0
Herts
A fellow carer who was having difficulty with her husband and toothbrushing said she had great success with the method advised by Teepa Snow in her video on u-tube. Might be worth a try.
Luckily for me my husband does still have a go at toothbrushing provided he is given his toothbrush loaded with toothpaste and is gently guided to brush both sides of his mouth( otherwise only one side gets brushed-always his left)
Tre
 

blue eyes

Registered User
Nov 6, 2014
21
0
A fellow carer who was having difficulty with her husband and toothbrushing said she had great success with the method advised by Teepa Snow in her video on u-tube. Might be worth a try.
Luckily for me my husband does still have a go at toothbrushing provided he is given his toothbrush loaded with toothpaste and is gently guided to brush both sides of his mouth( otherwise only one side gets brushed-always his left)
Tre
My dentist who knows my husband very well has given me the name of a dental specialist who deals with people with disabilities. Should a dental problem arise my husband may need to be sedated as there is no way he will open his mouth anymore to allow any procedure to take place and this is after years of dental visits. How I hate this disease. Checked out website. It is very informative. Will check out YouTube .
 

Feline

Registered User
Oct 25, 2012
163
0
East Devon
My dentist who knows my husband very well has given me the name of a dental specialist who deals with people with disabilities. Should a dental problem arise my husband may need to be sedated as there is no way he will open his mouth anymore to allow any procedure to take place and this is after years of dental visits. How I hate this disease. Checked out website. It is very informative. Will check out YouTube .

My husband is the same,doesn't have a clue, he will only open his mouth to eat, won't clean his teeth with all possible promptings and feels very threatened if I try to go near with a toothbrush. I wil also see what Teepa does.
 

Gigglemore

Registered User
Oct 18, 2013
526
0
British Isles
I was going to use Teepa's advice but Mum went downhill too fast. I moisten a wipe with lukewarm water (to avoid any hot/cold sensitivity) and put a little child's toothpaste on it. With Mum reclined in bed I gently talk to her and reassure her I will be very gentle and not hurt her and when I can get her to open her mouth a little I slip my finger with the wipe wrapped around it into her mouth and gently clean her teeth and gums as quickly as possible. Not perfect but much improved from a few weeks ago when the nursing home staff were struggling to clean her teeth once a day, and her breath was getting quite bad.

She can no longer understand about rinsing and spitting so mouthwash wasn't an option, and that's why I just use a small amount of mild toothpaste. I obviously wash my hands well before starting and keep calmly telling her how well she's doing etc. It's not easy and I hope someone posts some better tips!
 

blue eyes

Registered User
Nov 6, 2014
21
0
I was going to use Teepa's advice but Mum went downhill too fast. I moisten a wipe with lukewarm water (to avoid any hot/cold sensitivity) and put a little child's toothpaste on it. With Mum reclined in bed I gently talk to her and reassure her I will be very gentle and not hurt her and when I can get her to open her mouth a little I slip my finger with the wipe wrapped around it into her mouth and gently clean her teeth and gums as quickly as possible. Not perfect but much improved from a few weeks ago when the nursing home staff were struggling to clean her teeth once a day, and her breath was getting quite bad.

She can no longer understand about rinsing and spitting so mouthwash wasn't an option, and that's why I just use a small amount of mild toothpaste. I obviously wash my hands well before starting and keep calmly telling her how well she's doing etc. It's not easy and I hope someone posts some better tips!
Teepa Snow is well worth a watch. So pleased for that recommendation. A dental expert told me not to worry about rinsing the mouth out after brushing the teeth. If you can get them just to spit out excess the remaining fluoride in the toothpaste actually helps gums etc
 

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