How can I encourage my Mom with Alzheimer's to brush her teeth?

This can also be a problem once in a while for my 87 year-old mother with dementia who lives with us. Personally, I have found that trying to have her brush her teeth after bathing and dressing does not work as she is already tired out from those activities and therefore refuses to brush her teeth. Therefore, it seems to work out much better when I ask her if she wants to brush her teeth before bedtime. We have actually turned this into somewhat of a bedtime routine now along with washing her face. She also has an electric toothbrush and I usually have to give her verbal cueing on how to turn it on and off. Sometimes I'll just go ahead and do it for her as well as applying the toothpaste, although at times she is able to do it herself. I usually stand right by her or nearby just to make sure she is doing okay as her balance and motor planning/sequencing is not good. Anyway, I also agree that using a toothpaste she likes rather than the children's toothpaste is a better idea, or using the baking soda instead. Best of luck to you!

I bought my husband an electric toothbrush with a spiderman pattern on it and placed toothpaste on it and a glass of water for rinsing next to it. It worked while he was still fascinated with it. Then we were back to the "I already brushed them" or an outright refusal. Not even the threat that I won't read him a bedtime story would do it. However, I found out that by getting him ready for bed about an hour earlier makes him more amenable, because he is not so tired. The most embarrassing part is that after eating he often sticks his fingers in his mouth trying to remove particles. Especially in a restaurant and with company. I cannot dissuade him because he will stubbornly continue. If I give him a toothpick he will use it in front of everyone, too. So I am giving him lots of fluid during the meal to help prevent this. At home I cut up and can grind up the meat for him, but in a restaurant that's not possible and he loves meat dishes.

Scottdenny, I don't get it. What is your advice? If you've learned little tricks, why aren't you posting them to help the person who is asking a question? That's pretty much the point in being here.

Kittysharone, I don't have this trouble with my mother partly because she has no teeth although she will be getting a full set of dentures soon and I'm assuming she may need help from me in cleaning them. Is it possible to just help your mother brush her teeth? Some adults would like that kind of help and some wouldn't. I suppose you could try it or try some of the other's suggestions.

Try using a wash cloth as that used to be a method folks used when they could not afford toothpaste and toothbrushes (The Great Depression). Try a little mouth rinse like ACT to rinse out any food particles, but if she really doesn't want to brush her teeth, then do not argue or make her. Just one more thing you can check off your list of things to do...

We both use electric toothbrushes. I get it out and put paste on it. We brush together. Sometimes my husband forgets he has brushed and brushes again. That's o.k.

Scottdeny - I echo the response of Veronical91 and others. This is a forum to help and encourage people. When people are asking for help, they are not asking for you to step in and insult them. I have asked AgingCare to review your post to determine if it steps outside their terms and policies and to consider pulling it (and you) from our forum.

I work as a caregiver and specialize in people with Alzheimers and dementia. One trick I use to get a client to brush, rinse, and floss is by bringing my own toothbrush and mouthwash and floss and we do it together, I am demonstrating how as well as encouraging and explaing and helping as needed. I can take a few tries to figure out the leval of assistance needed but usually they can cooperate and this helps increase as much independence as possible. When the leval changes then I just assist more but they are used to the routine and its usually easy to do for both of you.

See if she will use a water pik/flosser, my husband has less problems using it than the toothbrush (I have to help with both). On low setting it works great to rinse out the excess food.

Scottdenny - your comment was very rude and uncalled for. None of us can judge another's ability to care for a loved one. Part of being a care giver is taking care of one's self. For a variety of reasons not all of us are able to care for a loved one without additional help. This is meant to be a forum for encouragement and support as we travel a very difficult road.

Scottdeny that was a pretty insensitive remark. you may have been able to becoem an excellent caregiver but everyone is different in what they can achieve. male Caregivers are a rare species and if you are able to continue to the end you are a very special and unique person. It is the responsible thing for any one who is not able to follow your example to pass on the very important care of their loved one to professionals. No shame or failure involved jsut plain common sense and concern for the loved one.

I gave up.

We put toothbrush on sink w/just alittle baking soda toothpaste and remind her nightly and she is agreeable but if it wasn't out she would be hard pressed to do it. She is also agreeable only to a weekly shower and hair wash and we don't press her for anything more. We write it on a calendar when we want to remind her its time.

I bought my mum an electric toothbrush which she had never used before.
I put the toothpaste on it then get her to hold it and as she puts it to her mouth I quickly turn it on and she just moves it around her teeth. The movement encourages her and I'm sure does a way better job than if using a manual toothbrush.
The brush makes a sound after 2 mins or so and she has miraculously learnt that it means she's finished.
I definitely have to prompt her to brush and set it all up, but at least she ( or the toothbrush) is brushing her teeth and not me!
I also take her to the dentist every 6 months where they will scrape her teeth for tarter although this is definitely becoming more difficult as the noise and scraping makes her tense up and shut her jaw!

When you were a baby and needed care she was there for you. You can care for your mother just by learning little tricks like I have.

My mom won't brush her teeth on her own either. When she was in assisted living I knew she wasn't, and bathing was an issue too.
So I moved her in with me. I take her to adult day care Mon - Fri. (a Godsend)
Anyway, after breakfast each day I take her to the bathroom and we brush her teeth.
If I don't do this It won't get done. Day care baths her 2X a week by the way.
Sadly getting to point where I will have to put her in NH for her own safety.

My mom is in a home. She won't brush her teeth either, so I am assuming they brush them for her. Once when I came to visit she had chicken all in her teeth, just horrible. I asked them to please brush my mothers teeth every morning. I will do it. when I visit. The problem is , I think, she doesn't remember

Try to get a toothpaste she likes