My mother has beginning stages of dementia and lives with my dad. She has been obsessively brushing her teeth all night long into the morning and sometimes doesn’t even sleep until the following day. It has been going on for about 6 mths. At first my mom would complain her teeth and gums hurt and we brought her to the dentist but there was nothing wrong. My dad would buy endless amount of toothpaste as she uses up easily 2-3 tubes in a night. My dad has tried to turn off the water or ask her to go to sleep but she gets angry and aggressive so he just leaves her alone. Once she gets angry it escalates and she can get very aggressive and sometimes violent. My dad is miserable as he doesn’t get any sleep when she does her obsessive brushing. We made an appt to see a psychiatrist for possible medication to help calm her at night but she literally ran away and refused to see the doctor. My dad and I both have POA and health care proxy over her. Can we see the doctor without her to get her the medication that she needs? We also brought her to get tested for UTI since sometimes a UTI can cause manic behavior with dementia, but the test was negative. Any advice or suggestions?
Sounds like it's time for calming medications.
In his case, he wanted relief from insomnia so we told him the pills were for that and so he accepted them. He never knew or cared that in fact my mom and I were equally or more interested in addressing the dangerous, obsessive behaviors.
Tell her anything (white lies, ultimatums) that will get her to see the dr and also to take the pills. Be aware that fixations can change. She could lessen the toothbrushing but seize onto something else. It’s horrible. Good luck.
Call her primary care doctor, or whomever is treating her for dementia, and explain this behavior. Mom needs calming meds right away and it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist who prescribes them. You can tell her Medicare now requires she see her doctor in person once a year in order to keep her coverage intact.
Then I'd lock the bathroom door at night to prevent her from this compulsive tooth brushing. If she gets angry and violent, dad calls 911 and has her transported to the hospital for a psych evaluation. She can be medicated there.
Good luck to you.
give her a little baking soda.
Mom, try using this to get your teeth clean... just wet the brush. And put a 1/8 teaspoon or smaller dollop in the palm of your hand, snd brush your teeth!
Your teeth will feel very clean ..
try this for awhile.. maybe that'll help.
GOOD OLE ARM & HAMMER
They too have toothpaste, but just use the baking soda. It's not as convenient..
if dad decides to buy toothpaste in bulk, keep it in the trunk of his car..or buy travel sizes..
is she still driving? 😬
Are their legal papers in order? Living trust, POA, etc?
Seroquel for sundowners?