Brushing teeth

Good morning, I have started brushing my husband teeth because he seems to only brush the bottom ones. He can’t seem to brush the top ones he doesn’t seem to be able to turn the tooth brush around. He also can’t open his mouth very wide. Is this normal?

[Heady]

Yes, totally! My husband couldn't clean his teeth at all, or manage to spit out the water or toothpaste. Unfortunately it was the one job I just couldn't bring myself to do. Thankfully we started having carers come in and they took over caring for his teeth.

Sending big hug and much love

Lots of love

Anne

[Hidden in reply to Heady]

Thanks, my husband’s breath is really bad so I have a hard time doing it.

[Cinnylou]

I remember when I had to start brushing my hubby’s teeth for him. Someone else’s saliva grossed me out, so I gloved up to do it. And he had issues spitting out the toothpaste too. He’d hold it in his mouth for the longest time—until his brain finally let him release it. And not always in the bin I was holding under his chin. Could’ve been down his shirt, the bathroom floor...once he spit it out across the living room! When his adult sized toothbrush was too cumbersome for his mouth, I picked him up a child’s toothbrush. Spider-Man it was! Lol. We eventually graduated to the sticks with the sponges on the end. I’d dip them into the total care mouthwash (no alcohol in it) and swish it over his teeth and gums. And we used them up until he could no longer open his mouth wide enough to fit them in there. Sometimes he’d clamp his mouth shut on it and I’d have to wrestle the sponge and stick out of his mouth. But we did it for as long as we could, as he was always very fastidious in his dental hygiene. So I tried my best to keep it up. You do what you can for where they are at in that moment.

[Hidden in reply to Cinnylou]

It’s just so hard to get him to understand what I need him to do.

[AJK2001 in reply to Hidden]

I don't think it's a matter of understanding it's his brain not being able to process the message properly, which is so frustrating for him and you. Mum used to dribble toothpaste down her chin. Might be worth getting a high fluoride toothpaste prescribed to offer more protection. Need to get this from a dentist.

[AliBee1]

Hi. The PSPA did a brilliant article on cleaning teeth about 3 years ago and one of the things they advised was not to use any water on the brush. It certainly helped my husband and have done this myself since then and I think it has helped my gums. Good luck

[Hidden in reply to AliBee1]

Thanks I’m going to look this up.

[MaddyS]

Hi Penny. Hubby couldn't open his mouth. On the rare occasion when he could , I couldn't get the toothbrush back out. His jaws would be firmly stuck down, there was a danger of braking his teeth. So I gave up and just brushed the outside with very little toothpaste and no water. I then dunked the brush in some mouthwash and cleans off the small residue of paste. I have no idea whether this did any good. I used an electric toothbrush. Everything is trial and error with this disease. Anyway his teeth did not deteriorate . Good luck, hope something works out well. Love Maddy

[Hidden in reply to MaddyS]

Thank you

[Northstar1]

I clean my husbands teeth because of the reasons you identified. He can open his mouth and i have to wrestle with his tongue its a task i dread. I will tell him to spit in the sink and this confuses him. So sad my poor husband x

[Tunupup]

My sister was exactly the same. We bought an electric toothbrush and did it for her bless. I miss her so much

[Aprilfool20]

Ever thought of electric brush then you could just manoeuvre it round his mouth without trying to brush too hard. I would not be without mine.A round brush head means it issmall enough to deal with. I don’t use water only a rinse at end. Jayne x

[Megabrew88]

Hi

I think everyone’s covered the bases here.

Yes, it was quite challenging brushing my B’s teeth in the later stage of PSP. He would bite the toothbrush and sometimes refuses to open his mouth. The trick is not to force him to open his mouth, just let him relax and he will be willing (Or perhaps his brain would have finally gotten the message) to open his mouth eventually. I used to talk to my B and tell him everything we are about to do before we do it, it gives him time to process it in his mind and participate.

What I found useful in preventing my husband from clamping into the tooth brush was a silicon spoon wedged towards the back of his teeth, it helps keep his mouth open and you can then use a small soft head electric toothbrush to clean. More like dry clean just toothpaste, and then just dip toothbrush in mouth wash and rinse afterwards to prevent choking.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Mxx

[Sunsetboulevard]

I was advised to use sensodyne toothpaste as it doesn’t foam

[Cianodude]

Yes my mums the same I bought littlesponges that are on sticks from the chemist a nd use these for her gums and tongue....

[David750]

We have both used electric tooth brushes for years. I cleaned my wife's teeth when she (PSP) could not. When carers came along they cleaned her teeth, lunch time and bed time. Not all use an electric toothbrush themselves sadly, I am not at all happy that all of them are not taking the full 2 minutes required. Even less so now tbat my wife is not opening her mouth as much and likely to get even less. It is a worry so we do not see the dental hygienist due to lock down. As a safeguard attempt to mitigate, I have supplied Curacept (not cheap) mouth wash for night time. Also I undertake as often as time allows to use dental brushes soaked in Curacept between each tooth. My concern over the carer brushing has been realised with bleeding gums recently. Always a worry when tasks are given up to carers. Some are great but others not so.

[Sebuly14]

The vibration from a regular electric toothbrush bothered my husband. I bought an electric toothbrush for babies and it works quite well. It is very small and has a light so I can actually see when I brush his teeth.

[Curler]

My hygienist recommended an electric brush.

[Hidden]

I too clean my partner's teeth and yes there is problems with opening his mouth wide enough but i have an electric brush and we manage, he is also diabetic and the dentist feels it is important to clean his teeth and suggested a water pik but not cheap to buy so have not gone down that route yet. these days i resign myself to doing the best i can do no matter was the medics say. best wishes

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I use a electric toothbrush but maybe I will get a water pick.

[mariaelenac in reply to Hidden]

waterpic has a sonic fusion water pik and electric tooth brush together . I just [purchased one from Amazon,.... .I have been using an electric tooth brush and a waterpik for years. I have PSP and can;t do a good just with a regular tooth brush;/

good luck

Maria Elena

[Martina_MP]

A waterpik is helpful. My mother has always used one religiously. Now that she can’t rinse effectively, I use the waterpik to clear toothpaste and debris out after doing her sonicare brushing. I did read that if a person can’t tolerate toothpaste or if it’s too difficult to get out, one can just dip the brush in mouthwash or water. Despite extensive sonicare brushing and waterpik-ing, plaque can still accumulate so I also use GUM Softpicks between her teeth now and then, recommended by her dentist. You can use a finger placed at the corner of the person’s lips to pull the lips/cheek back to get to the side teeth. I use gloves.