How can I provide oral care safely to my Mom?

I found this article on Aging Care about oral care for those who have difficulty. I also wonder if children toothpaste and mouthwash would be safer to use.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/oral-care-strategies-older-adults-175335.htm

It is the toothbrush not the toothpaste that cleans. You can brush her teeth with water. The toothpaste is for the fluoride. There are mouthwashes with fluoride that are alcohol free (eg; CREST Prohealth COMPLETE)....Brush quickly, as they get bored. Maybe you can brush uppers, then lowers at a different time. But constantly talk to her as you brush as this distracts her. I prefer small heads and long handles.

It is not as good as a brush, but buy from your dentist 2X2 gauze(ours is non-woven, rayon polyester formed fabric), as theirs is better and doesn't leave bits of gauze
Wet the gauze with that alcohol free, fluoride mouthwash and gently rub her teeth cleaned. This is if she won't let you brush at all.

There is another product to get between her teeth. BUTLER "Soft Pics"
They are disposible. Another are "go be tweens"They come in packs of maybe8-10 and can be reused if rinsed and dried. Get the smallest .
These all can be found in your pharmacy, grocery stores, wallmarts, etc
Your mom is who she is, these are just ideas.

I also use a Butler END TUFF brush which only cleans one tooth at a time,and mostly the ones far back that you can't reach. The handle is long, and it reaches a specific tooth you need to get. Again a private pharmacy may have or all a periodontal denal office and they could give you one to try, Then order a dozen if you like from that office.

RMEMBER, if you use toothpaste, it really is the toothbrush that cleans her teeth.
Toothpaste is to a toothbrush , as catchup is to hotdog, or sugar to ice tea..Its not necessary....its purpose is to make the toothbrush more fun and to put fluoride on the teeth. So only put a "pea" size amt on the brush.
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My dad is age 97. I take him to the dentist 2 x year. And they sometimes give him fluoride treatments. DO ASK your dentists/hygienist for ideas.

I think it is wonderful that you are so concerned. Your mom won't tell you when a tooth hurts till it is too late. You need to keep her going to a dentist to check for decay. The elderly have dryer mouths and more root exposure which decays quickly.

you can get swabs then dip into mouth wash or saline to wipe her mouth. You can use baking soda to brush her teeth instead of toothpaste so if she swallows it's not going to harm her.

It's the fluoride that you want to avoid. Fluoride should not be ingested. They do sell toothpaste that doesn't contain it. I buy it for my grandchildren.

The hygienist told me not to rinse after using the sensitivity toothpaste, so it's OK to swallow. I get the generic brand from the dollar store, for use when the teeth are sensitive to hot or cold food.Just use a very small amount. I agree with the point of talking the whole time, i think that's essential for any task with a dementia patient. Sometimes the beginning of the sentence is forgotten by them before you get to the end of the sentence.

I use all-natural toothpaste "Auromere" which has no fluoride or sorbitol,or mint, it tastes like licorice. Agree that there's no need for any toothpaste, it just makes the job more pleasant. An electric toothbrush might do a better job.

My dad uses Desert Essence tea tree oil toothpaste & neem "wintergreen" with much success! Doesn't matter if he swallows it even though I try to get him not to. He eats nuts often & less animal flesh for protein which benefits his teeth & gums. He has been taking the Curamin supplements since last fall and am amazed how well he fared during the winter when others suffered from cold, flu, & pneumonia. He just finished drinking the lemon ginger with probiotics tea by Bigelow and I placed almonds, pecans, & walnuts around the rim of the saucer. He eats a lot of steel cut oatmeal with chia seeds, bananas, & other fresh fruits. He loves the vanilla almond milk. He drinks a lot of water, too. I'm proud that my dad has such a good outlook on his condition & hoping it stays this way. He likes honey a lot. On occasion when he is coughing a little at night I take him a spoon of creamed honey (which doesn't drip & get messy like regular honey).

Do *NOT* give PERIOGUARD or PERIDEX if the person is swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash. This product contains chlorhexidine and that's poisonous.

Plush her teeth while you lay her down with salt or backing soda not to much just wet the brush and dipped the tip of it. The reason why you need to brush her in lay down is, you can see everything down to tonsil,you can be able to swap mucus and so forth. Start to brush from the front teeth slowly,she will figure it out what you were trying to do for her and go to her cheeks,you open your mouth while you brushing her,she will fallow( sometime she may not no what open mean) Most of Alzheimer I have been take care of,I always give them shower after dinner,so I can have them rinse they mouth before I get to brushed they teeth. Most of them will open they mouth while you aimed shower head to they mouth,they will open it and keep water run,they will spits those stuff out themselves, after I dress them while they lay down,I can brushed they teeth without worries about any much food left in they mouth.

** I meant Bushed her teeth*** NOT Plush her teeth**