Oral health is critical to help with the quality of life, no matter what age. If the person wears dentures, receding gums are a problem and the person will have a hard time eating. With or without dentures, you also have to worry about infections. Dry mouth is often a problem with meds. We used alcohol-free mouthwash and Floride toothpaste for my mother.
For brushing, it is best to use a baby-soft toothbrush. Or even a soft clean bit of cotton fabric to gently clean her gums and teeth. Clean the dentures daily. For oral abrasions, we used a swish only, of prescribed Chlorhexidine 0.12%. If the care facility does not do this, it should be addressed.

My gums and the complete inside of my mouth is always peeling and I have excessive saliva........I am a senior citizen and I been to 2 dentists and 1 Doctor and no one can seem to find the cause.........I'm extremely concerned can find the cause..........

@PstCGStillCares - I'm sorry to hear about the separation from your father. It's very difficult to assist our elderly parents when very often we are burdened by our own family’s situations and challenges. While sometimes it may not seem necessary, maintaining oral health for seniors is important for preventing other conditions that could lead to further complications. One such concern is aspiration pneumonia which results from aspirating bacteria in the mouth due to a diminished gag reflex often associated with aging. Keeping a clean and healthy mouth requires both adequate home care and routine dental cleanings (and checkups) at the dental office. It’s understandable that the aging demographic has difficulty with maintaining appointments with doctors and specialists as a result of mobility challenges or illnesses that keep them bed-ridden. Many dental office provide mobile dental care services for residents in nursing homes, retirement communities, hospitals and even private residences. If you have concerns about your father’s oral health check if his local dentist provides house call dental services. You can access more oral health resources for seniors online.

My Dad decided about 2 years ago to stop brushing his teeth and only use mouth wash. He also decided recently to not go to check ups as it was just "too much trouble" and he "is just fine", and gets irritated when someone tries to convince him otherwise. when I was his primary caregiver I basically could get him to "do the right thing" or enlist his doctors to help me by creating appointments that he would go to.
Now he lives two states away and with my brother and his family. My sister takes him to doctors, pays his bills with his money, and has said that if he does not want to go he is old enough at 94 to do as he pleases. My brother doesn't push it. Dad does not have all his teeth either and he grinds them at night and does not wear a guard, nor does he use his sleep apnea machine anymore since he moved (at his request after we had to sell his home). I am frustrated and worried as my hands are tied. What if anything can I do without creating a "divorce" situation from him and the rest of the family?

I come across a product called bedi shield and it is saying thta is helping people with special needs to brush their teeth. Has anyone of you heard about it before?

I hadn't thought of the possibility that my mom may have difficulty opening her mouth enough to get the dentures in/out, but it makes sense. She can't smile like she used to and the jaw muscles do get "tone" with dementia.
I'll try tickling her and telling jokes :0)

Being a cancer survivor, the radiation scars the jaw muscles. Consequently, my mouth cannot open more than 1/2 inch. I have to fit a 1" high prosthesis into my mouth every morning, out every night. Challenging? You bet. But there is a way.

I also have a device called Thera-bite. It exercises and stretches the mouth open. Perhaps you can borrow it :O) !?!

I have people email me that they cannot open their mouth more than 1/4". I am one lucky dude!

Maybe if you make your Mom laugh so hard, she'll open her mouth laughing and the dentures will fall out!?!

ssk- when my kids were little they would not open thier mouth to let dr look inside , he was a smart one , he closed thier nose till they turn blue and mouth came open realy wide so they can breath . im thinking shall try that with the elders ...

We have been having a hard time lately, getting my Mom to open her mouth to remove and clean her dentures. If anyone has any helpful hints that work for you I'd like to hear them. Thanks

Ahh.... as to "You can protect your teeth from decay by using fluoride toothpaste", let's not make that generalization without some facts!!! I avoid fluoride with as much passion as I avoid aluminum, MSG, and other poisons. However, I agree that mouth health is super important. Just don't ask me to add chemicals to MY body...

I battled T4 Squamous cell carcinoma in 2007. It originated in my right sinus below my eye, took out my maxilla, hard palate, partial soft palate, upper right jaw and 6 teeth, then migrated to my left neck lymph nodes. As a result of radiation therapy I suffer from permanent chronic dry mouth. In 2008 I developed the XEROS dry mouth pump. It turned my life around. I can now speak at length, sleep through the entire night, and engage in physical exercise and activities. I decided to stop suffering and start living. None of the commercially available products worked because their labels say that they stimulate saliva production. If your saliva glands are destroyed by radiation, there is no stimulation. The XEROS is the only available solution today.