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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."

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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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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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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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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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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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kirkleon: It's time for you to take over brushing her teeth as she's forgotten the process.
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By doing it for her yourself.
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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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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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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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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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