Provide short, simple instructions. Explain dental care by breaking directions into steps. “Brush your teeth” by itself may be too vague. Instead, walk the person through the process. Say: “Hold your toothbrush.” “Put paste on the brush.” Then, “Brush your teeth.”
Use a “watch me” technique. Hold a toothbrush and show the person how to brush his or her teeth. Find a comfortable position if you must do the brushing yourself. Put your hand over the person’s hand, gently guiding the brush. If the person seems agitated or uncooperative, postpone brushing until later in the day.
Try different types of toothbrushes. A small soft bristled children’s toothbrush works better than a large adult’s brush. Or a long handled or angled brush is easier to use than a standard toothbrush. Be aware that electric dental brushes may confuse a person with Alzheimer’s.
Keep dentures clean. If the person wears dentures, rinse them with plain water after meals and brush them daily to remove food particles. Each night, remove them and soak in a cleanser or mouthwash. Then, if needed use a soft toothbrush or moistened gauze pad to clean the gums, tongue and other soft mouth tissues.
Be aware of potential mouth pain. Investigate any signs of mouth discomfort or jaw swelling during mealtime. Refusing to eat or strained facial expressions while eating may indicate tooth/mouth pain or dentures that don’t fit properly.
Our non-profit dental clinic, Healthy Smiles Forever, is here at the facility. If you need any dental care, information or dental supplies we are happy to help. Please call us at 931-0484 or let the court nurse or front desk know to contact us to make appointment.
