94 year old mom has dementia and severe dysphasia. Please share techniques to keep her mouth healthy. Currently use sponge swabs with a bit of mouthwash. She is on a puréed comfort food diet.
On the simple side of things concerning dental hygiene: Rinsing after every meal is very valuable. If you can follow that up with having the person enjoy chewing gum (not any gum), then you could make sure they get some Xylitol gum, which is great for insuring that bacteria cannot convert the sugar and food particles left behind, into an acid which is the culprit causing the decay. My dental checkups are stellar and chewing good gum saves way more $$$ and repair hassle than the cost of the gum. Good Xylitol brands are Pur, Epic, Spry and even Trident (though it has less Xylitol).
I'm a believer. I'm not alone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D050cgCZaw
I'm so glad I came across this post. It has been challenging to assist with my grandmother's dental care after her dementia diagnosis and you've got some great tips here.
I agree facilities will not bother with consistent daily oral hygiene.-one time per day is a good day-mostly not doing as decay is increasing since moving there. Sister's teeth are a lot worse since moving to NH. If sister's teeth are looking gunky I get her to brush. I keep a spare in my bag-since they do not let her keep these things in her room. Sis is cooperative-she still cares about her appearance and wants to look nice, clean, but can not do by herself. Due to her relatively poor physical ability-a half hour appointment takes almost 3 hours, by the time I drive to her place, get her in the car, drive to the office and return to my house.
Dad's teeth are much worse since living at home with 24/7 care. Dad actually trying to pull out a loose tooth now. I beg him not too will make a big hole in his mouth and the root will still be in the gums-food bacteria will collect there and probably need a root canal when it gets infected-no way it won't get infected. I suggest to mom to cut down on the sweets-her way to bribe dad to do something-like exercise. Around the holidays-the sweet treat was peanut brittle=um I wonder how/why that tooth got cracked.
Sis will still do anything I ask/suggest without a fight she knows I want to be helpful and provide good care. Mom and dad do not listened to me they haven't for years, but I am the first one they call when going to the ER...
Disabled cousin living in group home-had bad gingivitis-needs to be sedated for the deep cleaning. Each time I visit her teeth are gunky. I bought an electric brush for her-don't think they used or even gave it to her to use....I am sure someone else took it home. Gingivitis is much worse since in their care. Due to cousin having Autism she is not good with new people and places-so is already challenging to get her to go to the dentist in the first place. She lives in AZ, I live 2,000 miles away. Not something I can do anything about her guardian is not going to do anything about it either-If she could/would things would be different by now.
This is a subject we, as caretakers, are well aware of. Mother's teeth had developed a buildup of caked food particles which was because of dry mouth syndrome and she would not brush properly. Most of her life she had few cavities, hard teeth. After discovery, she was averaging 3-4 cavities per visit, twice a year. We now take her 4 times a year and brush her teeth for her with a spin brush, and pic, after every meal. This has helped greatly. A water pic is out of the question do to sensitive teeth. Unfortunately, we have found, most facilities will not perform this type of care. They are either too busy or don't want to be bothered. Some will start but will not keep it up. Good luck everyone.
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Oral Care Tips for Dementia Caregivers
Rinsing after every meal is very valuable. If you can follow that up with having the person enjoy chewing gum (not any gum), then you could make sure they get some Xylitol gum, which is great for insuring that bacteria cannot convert the sugar and food particles left behind, into an acid which is the culprit causing the decay. My dental checkups are stellar and chewing good gum saves way more $$$ and repair hassle than the cost of the gum. Good Xylitol brands are Pur, Epic, Spry and even Trident (though it has less Xylitol).
I'm a believer. I'm not alone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D050cgCZaw
Dad's teeth are much worse since living at home with 24/7 care. Dad actually trying to pull out a loose tooth now. I beg him not too will make a big hole in his mouth and the root will still be in the gums-food bacteria will collect there and probably need a root canal when it gets infected-no way it won't get infected. I suggest to mom to cut down on the sweets-her way to bribe dad to do something-like exercise. Around the holidays-the sweet treat was peanut brittle=um I wonder how/why that tooth got cracked.
Sis will still do anything I ask/suggest without a fight she knows I want to be helpful and provide good care. Mom and dad do not listened to me they haven't for years, but I am the first one they call when going to the ER...
Disabled cousin living in group home-had bad gingivitis-needs to be sedated for the deep cleaning. Each time I visit her teeth are gunky. I bought an electric brush for her-don't think they used or even gave it to her to use....I am sure someone else took it home. Gingivitis is much worse since in their care. Due to cousin having Autism she is not good with new people and places-so is already challenging to get her to go to the dentist in the first place. She lives in AZ, I live 2,000 miles away. Not something I can do anything about her guardian is not going to do anything about it either-If she could/would things would be different by now.