How to Help With Tooth Brushing
Brushing your own teeth is a simple task but it’s not so simple when you have to do it for someone else. Mouth care is important because it maintains oral health, prevents infection and helps to maintain appetite. In this video, we’ll give you the tools you need to develop your skills so that you can confidently help the person you’re caring for with brushing their teeth.
Brushing your own teeth is a simple task but it’s not so simple when you have to do it for someone else!
Mouth care is important because it maintains oral health, prevents infection and helps to maintain appetite.
In this video, we’ll give you the tools you need to develop your skills so that you can confidently help the person you’re caring for with brushing their teeth.
Let’s try it!
First, let’s gather all the supplies needed:
A soft toothbrush, their favorite toothpaste and, if they use it, grab their favourite mouthwash.
Some Dental floss, or Floss sticks
A glass of water for rinsing out the toothpaste
A Small bowl for spitting out the dirty water
A towel for wiping their mouth or any messes
A pair of Disposable Gloves for you
And Lip balm if they use it
Get started by washing your hands and putting on gloves
Start by helping them into a sitting position and put a towel on their chest in case of spills.
After wetting the toothbrush with water, apply a small amount of toothpaste.
If they’re able to, have the person you’re caring for brush their own teeth. If they aren’t able, help them by brushing all surfaces of their teeth and the inside of their mouth using a circular motion.
Offer them water and a bowl to spit as they need to.
If using floss, very gently run the floss between their teeth to remove any buildup, using floss sticks can make this a little easier
If they use mouthwash, finish by helping them with it and then they can rinse their mouth and spit it into the bowl too
Help them to dry their face and apply lip balm if their lips are dry or cracked.
Last, clean up the bowl with soap and water, throw out your gloves and wash your hands.
While providing any kind of mouth care, always make sure to look for signs of pain, bleeding, or any sores or white film (yeast/thrush) on their tongue.
These could all be signs of infection, so if you notice these, brush very gently and contact the health care provider for the person that you’re caring for.
Proper oral care can help prevent infection and make the person you’re caring for feel clean and refreshed. With some practice, brushing their teeth will become as natural as brushing your own.
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Resource Information:
Type: Video
Length: Short (< 5 minutes)
Conditions: Other
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