Tooth brushing someone else is very very difficult! Any tips from other caregivers? I am afraid the vibrating handle will knock his teeth out! All f a sudden he cannot get his arms and hands to control a toothbrush and he is obsessive about great oral hygiene.
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Hi Betty,
i think I made a thread about this previously too asking the same thing, but I use an electric toothbrush for him and usually do his teeth just once a day. Like someone pointed out, don't press the switch on until the brush is touching his teeth or in his mouth or it'll be toothpaste everywhere haha. I used to support his wrist while he took charge but too week now so I just do it.
Might sounds daft, but I just say out loud what area I'm going to so there's no surprises. So a lot of teeth announcements like 'Lower left', 'open', 'smile' 'teeth together'
It did take a while to get in to a routine that worked for us and also until I found out how sensitive his gums are, so I knew where to avoid in the future.
Got a mouthwash for back up too in case family visit and he cant be bothered doing a full teeth clean.
Hope this helps somehow x
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Tess is right, Betty - it's a good habit to get into to say which teeth you're going to do each time, upper outside right or whatever, so we know what to expect!
I have a routine of starting at the very back of a surface and the helper brushes in one direction all the way to the other side, before starting on a different surface and so on - that way no part of the teeth is missed (I'm fussy about my teeth too)
And you only need a small amount of toothpaste.
Good luck!
Love Ellie.
Diagnosed 03/2007. Sporadic Definite ALS/MND Spinal (hand) Onset.
Eye gaze user - No functional limbs - No speech - Feeding tube - Overnight NIV.
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