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P.O. Box 3002
Troy, MT 59935
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For The Patient- Home Caregivers
As a caregiver, you juggle many responsibilities. Oral care should not be overlooked. Without it, the person you are caring for can develop painful cavities, infections, and gum disease that can loosen teeth and may lead to tooth loss, these oral problems can make eating and speaking difficult and can lead to diseases in the rest of the body, like pneumonia.
Brushing Teeth Cleaning Between The Teeth
Teeth should be brushed twice a day. The person you are caring for may be able to brush his or her own teeth. You may need to show the person how by brushing your teeth first. If the person you are caring for is going to do the brushing, choose a toothbrush that can be easily handled. The toothbrush bristles should be soft. A child's toothbrush with a small head may fit more easily in a small mouth. A powered toothbrush also may be helpful. Before starting, wash your hands and put on medical gloves to reduce the spread of germs. Place a pea sized drop of fluoride toothpaste on the brush. If the person you are helping has trouble swallowing or spitting, you can skip toothpaste and use a toothbrush moistened with water. Brush all surfaces gently in small circles.
Once a day, clean between any teeth that touch. This can be done with a string of floss stretched tight between the index or middle fingers on each hand. If this is difficult, you might try floss holders or small brushes designed for cleaning between teeth. Once again, explain what you are doing to the patient.
Caring For Dentures
Both complete and partial removable dentures should be rinsed after meals. They also should be cleaned with denture cleaner once a day. You may want to handle dentures over a soft towel or a sink or bowl with some water in it to help keep them from chipping if they are dropped. Dentures should be taken out during sleep. When they are out of the mouth for long periods, dentures should be stored in a glass of room-temperature water. Ask the person you are caring for how the dentures feel and if there are any sore spots. If so, or if you see any red spots, see his or her dentist, who can check that the dentures fit properly,