Enquiry about mouthwash (or similar) which can be swallowed ... (no- alcohol)

[kittiwake]

Hello, I hope that I have posted in the correct thread. I've tried searching on this subject but could not find a related thread already in existence...

My mum has been in a care home for over two years, and over that time has progressed from good self care (including toothbrushing) to almost no self care. Bathing and hair care seem to be good, but mum refuses mouthcare and her mouth and teeth are getting into a poor state.

She is always offered (and accepts) sweet biscuits with tea for supper, and I would like to find a way of easily 'de-sugaring' / plaque inhibition especially last thing at night. I have searched supermarkets and pharmacies for something suitable, and also asked for advice from a pharmacist and a dentist. The 'best' advice I could obtain was to find a mouthwash, but it would need to be OK to swallow (as mum doesn't really follow instructions reliably, and is likely to swallow anything that looks like a drink).

I've found an aloe-based mouthwash in a 'health food' type store, and the bottle label has no instruction saying ' do not swallow', which most other mouthwashes seem to have ( even those labelled for children..possibly because they contain fluoride). I'm thinking of trying this for my mum, but before I do, does anyone have any better suggestions? Are there any 'chewable / dissolvable' mouthcare products out there (that she could happily suck like sweets?)? I know that some chewing gums help to clean and freshen the mouth, but I don't want my mum risking swallowing gum.....

Thank you for any suggestions....

 

[Oxy]

I would ask Alzheimer sock or admiral nurse advice line for a recommendation. This problem must occur frequently. Dentist should know. In public toilets they have chewable things in vending machines but I have not given them a closer look so may be gum. I hope you find a solution.

 

[CollegeGirl]

How about simply using water? If your mum is able to swish water around her mouth after eating sugary foods, that would help, and there would be no problem about swallowing it.

 

[Lulu]

I am in the same boat. I recently contacted the makers of one of those chewable 'brushes' you see in service stations etc and I have very kindly been sent samples. The ones I have (perhaps they aren't all the same?) are triangular about the same thickness as a certain mint cake, not very big and they are very hard with a sharp point. I couldn't give Mum one of these as she would swallow and it could get stuck. I would be interested to know if you find a mouthwash, but for us I fear this would be used as a drink as Mum would be unable to rinse.
It is a problem, and one that causes me much concern.

 

[jeany123]

What about this without the baking soda.

http://everydayroots.com/cinnamon-mouthwash-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath

 

[arielsmelody]

I don't suppose it's enough, but if she ate cheese instead of sweet biscuits, the cheese is supposed to be much better for your teeth.

 

[jeany123]

I found these as well I wonder if they would be any good they dissolve in the mouth,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0052FZ35A

 

[2jays]

If she must eat sweets, chocolate is the least damaging than most as it melts and washes away


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[jeany123]

If she must eat sweets, chocolate is the least damaging than most as it melts and washes away


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When my grandson had his palate operation and was on a soft diet the specialist said don't let him have chocolate because it clings and is hard to get rid of,

 

[2jays]

When my grandson had his palate operation and was on a soft diet the specialist said don't let him have chocolate because it clings and is hard to get rid of,

No chocolate that's tough

My info was from our dentist when the kids were young....

I guess basically it's no to sweets then


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