Source: Canadian Dental Association

Care receivers need mouth care, and here are a few tips for caregivers on how to provide it.

Natural Teeth

1. Stand behind the person to brush and floss their teeth.
2. Let the person sit in front of the sink. That way, you can make the same motions you use when you brush and floss your own teeth.
3. Make sure you use a soft toothbrush. Or you may find an electric toothbrush better when you brush someone else's teeth. Ask the person to tell you if you are brushing too hard.
4. Have the person rinse with warm water when you are done.

Dentures

1. Let the person tell or show you how to take the false teeth or "partial" out. (With false teeth, put the upper set back first, and then the lower set.)
2. Both kinds of false teeth must be cleaned daily.
3. Look for cracks in the denture. If you find any, take it to a dentist for repair.
4. Fill the sink with water.
5. Scrub the false teeth or partial denture with a denture brush and soap.
6. Rinse with water when you finish cleaning.
7. Soak false teeth overnight. They can be soaked in a special cleaner for false teeth (denture cleanser), in warm water OR in a mix of warm water and vinegar (half and half). If the denture has metal clasps, use warm water only for soaking.

Mouth Tissues

1. Ask if it is okay to look inside the person's mouth.
2. Check the mouth closely. Look for swelling, red or white patches, parts of the gums that have changed colour and sores that do not heal in a few days. If you see any of these things, call the person's dentist.
3. Clean and massage the inside of the person's mouth with a damp cloth or a soft toothbrush.