Teeth cleaning

[mikeadams51]

I use oxygen and every time I clean my teeth I struggle to breathe. Any ideas how to resolve this problem cos I don’t want to end up at the dentist

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I have the same problem. Have a good night and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx

[HungryHufflepuff]

Are you able to breathe while flossing? Flossing cleans between your teeth and you can use certain chewing gums with xylitol to clean your teeth. It depends how good your teeth are, unfortunately mine are now too bad to chew gum as it just pulls bits of tooth out, which is not good! Hopefully someone will have a better solution for you.

[mikeadams51 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thankyou. I don’t like flossing but I might try gum

[CDPO16 in reply to mikeadams51]

I don't use floss either as it tends to get caught on my fillings in places. I use interdental brushes instead which I find are very effective used after every meal. They come in a range of sizes and are stocked at most larger supermarkets or on line outlets.

[mikeadams51 in reply to CDPO16]

Thankyou

[Ian1967 in reply to mikeadams51]

Hi Mike, if you don’t like flossing try using a TePe interdental brush, they are much easier to use than floss, but do the same job, I haven’t used floss for a few years now.

[mikeadams51 in reply to Ian1967]

Thankyou

[Patk1 in reply to Ian1967]

I like the tepe brushes too

[hypercat54 in reply to mikeadams51]

I floss at lot and it gets rid of a lot of nasties. The dentist told me never to 'saw' but to floss up and down the tooth otherwise eventually you will damage the gum and lose teeth. I knew someone this happened to once. She had to have false teeth at quite a young age.

[Maggie_Mae]

I’m afraid I don’t have any answers to you But maybe suggest you speak to Dentist Hygienist ?.. I’m sure they will be able to help you with suggestions

[CDPO16]

If you move your tongue upwards and backwards it blocks off the ability to breath through your mouth so that you have to breathe through your nose. This should help you to get the full benefit of oxygen via nasal cannula while you clean your teeth even though it won't necessarily help ease breathlessness. It may help to practice and it may also help to clean your teeth as slowly as possible. I find that if I clean my teeth too quickly I'm more short of breath than if I try and take my time. I also get more breathless cleaning my teeth when I'm tired.I hope some of this will be helpful to you.

[mikeadams51 in reply to CDPO16]

Thankyou

[TeachKat]

Maybe try using the smallest size child-size toothbrush?

[peege]

Have you tried an electric toothbrush after cleaning between teeth? Very small head wont fill your mouth and the battery does all the action. There are 2 types of inter-teeth brush, an actual little brush and the ones I use which are less expensive are all plastic. All different sizes to fit different sized gap.

[mikeadams51 in reply to peege]

I have an electric brush but not small brushes

[peege in reply to mikeadams51]

Ah, mine's round & small as an old 1/2p piece

[soulboy118]

Try an electric toothbrush ,its less energetic shall we say , ihope this helps but we all get breathless doing most things.

[Patk1]

A physio suggested,dont lean forward whilst brushing teeth,stand or sit comfortably- it may help a little( and dont need to have water running until u need it,which is saving water)Failing that,perhaps use the tepe or other interdental flossing brushes,and use mouthwash both on them and afterwards

[AngieB72]

I use a water flosser as I can’t get the tepe brushes between my teeth - requires very little energy to use and is quicker than having to use the little brushes.

[Izb1]

I use an electric water flosser, it is brilliant for cleaning teeth and gums, you lean forward whilst doing this, it may help x

[Lynnetp]

Hi Mikeadams51,

Are you letting the electric brush do the work for you? You don’t need to do the brushing action, just hold it against each tooth surface for a second or 2 then move to the next. (The small round headed brushes tend to get into all nooks & crannies more efficiently.) I find if I sit down also, this helps. I know it can get a bit dribbly so a strategically place mug is helpful!

If you can take your time, it actually takes less effort rather than “just getting it done” which is far less effective and takes more energy and breath.

If you’re able to tepe once a day too, this will really help. Once you get used to the technique you can do that sitting also.

Hope this helps

Take care

Lynne xx

[mikeadams51 in reply to Lynnetp]

Thankyou

[stamford1234]

I sit down to clean my teeth rather than bend over a basin. It helps a lot.

[Joy123]

If you use a nasal cannula it shouldn’t affect you anymore than eating drinking etc. I don’t have any problem brushing my teeth but I do use a good electric toothbrush though. Joy x

[carbonman321]

Try an electric rechargeable toothbrush.

[mikeadams51 in reply to carbonman321]

I’ve got one but I’m predominantly a mouth breather which causeses added difficulties

[Hobbledehoy in reply to mikeadams51]

It does take practice, but persevere & suddenly you'll get it. A help at the dentist, too.

[Kate124]

I have to gulp in air through mouth at same time. Plus a few through oxygen canula up nose.

[mikeadams51 in reply to Kate124]

Yes that’s the only way I can clean my teeth. Bloody hard work though

[Kate124 in reply to mikeadams51]

You get used to it. Not a choice really x

[mikeadams51 in reply to Kate124]

Unfortunately not