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T
Theras Asked February 2020

Dental care with dementia?

Does anyone have any advice or experience in dental care for very frail mother with dementia? She went to hospice for 10 days and was not alert enough to do more than swab her teeth and gums. She's back at the NH now and more alert, eating a few mouthfuls and drinking a lot more. Her mouth is so gross. I want so much to brush her teeth but afraid she'll swallow the toothpaste. Maybe an electric toothbrush and just water or a little toothpaste with baking soda? I know flouride is a no no.

JoAnn29 Feb 2020
There are little disposable sponge brushes with toothpaste in them. They look like lollypops. See if ur pharmacy can order u some.

cwillie Feb 2020
People seriously need to get over this irrational fear about swallowing toothpaste, you would need to ingest a whole tube at once to cause a belly ache and accumulative fluoride toxicity is not going to come into play for someone of advanced years with a terminal disease.

Since gum disease is likely with anyone who pockets food you might consider dipping her brush in one of the dental peroxide mouthwashes, I used this for my mom.

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