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My wife is level 3-4 Alz and doesn't brush her teeth. I got her to do it some but lately she just mushes the toothpaste into the brush with her fingers, puts it on the sink surround and walks away, so it's gotten to "won't."

I found that the electric toothbrush works best for my wife. Manual toothbrush got bitten so I couldn’t move it. With the motion of the electric toothbrush I am able to get it around her mouth.
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Reply to Maurice53
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Sometimes my patients need a visual parellel, that means I keep a toothbrush for myself handy and 'pretend' to brush my teeth at the same time so the part of the brain that understands visual learning will recognize a familiar task. You may want to brush your teeth at the same time you are trying to get her to brush her teeth. It may or may not help. Everyone is different. You may have to guide her with hand over hand - she holds the toothbrush and you assist with placement and initiating movement, letting go once she starts carrying over the movement herself. And you may have to brush them for her if she has progressed to that point if she will allow it. If she hasn't been to the dentist lately, and you can get her to go, it may be a good idea. If there is any tenderness in her mouth that may be why she won't brush anymore. My mother had broken teeth that were causing her pain, once they were taken care of it was easier to get her to brush.
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Reply to plcmamamemory
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I stay with mom and watch and encourage! That works..she brushes it into her hair if I do not stay in bathroom!
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Reply to Sadinroanokeva
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One way to keep my Mom from rushing through brushing is to stand behind her so she can see me in mirror. She was rushing because she was afraid I was leaving her.
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Reply to Clatour
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I've had good luck with G-U-M Soft Picks. My family member will not brush her teeth or allow me to help but she likes to use the soft picks to get the food out of her teeth and gums. I also ask her to swish water around in her mouth which she can either spit out or just swallow.
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Reply to roadtrip54
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My husband doesn’t do his either unless after a shower the care lady gets him to do it.
i don’t under stand why. The excuses don’t make sense.
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Reply to ElderlyGram
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kirkleon: It's time for you to take over brushing her teeth as she's forgotten the process.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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When Mom went to an AL, the aide told me would not brush her teeth. I asked if she put the toothpastenon the brush and then handed it to her, aide said no. Told the aide that is what I had been doing and she brushed her own teeth. My problem was getting her to stop brushing. If this what you do, then I guess brushing them for her is the next thing.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Time for you to brush her teeth for her.
I used an electric toothbrush when I was brushing my husbands teeth and it worked well for us.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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If she will let you help her Teepa Sow has a video about that
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gLrH8mioCw
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Reply to cwillie
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DaisyAnn57 Jan 11, 2025
Thank you so much for this website. I went to Teepa Sow and she’s got a lot of information on helping people with Alzheimer’s.
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By doing it for her yourself.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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She’s lost the ability to do it anymore. You or a helper will need to do it for her. Consider hiring an aide who’s worked with patients with Alzheimer’s as they have tricks of the trade to gain cooperation and get it done quickly and efficiently. Being shown specifics will help
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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The only thing you can try is say, “come one now love, it’s time for me to brush your teeth..” and then you brush her teeth as best you can. Don’t make it a production, just do the best you can.

She probably has zero idea what to do with the toothpaste and toothbrush. I’m sorry it’s gotten to this point.
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Reply to Bulldog54321
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