Helping someone brush their teeth can be a delicate operation: both the person in need of help and the person giving it can find it offputting. These tips can help make toothbrushing both effective and enjoyable. And once you've both got the hang of it, oral hygiene is just part of the job and it gives results that you can enjoy together: a clean and healthy mouth.
TIPS FOR ORAL HYGIENE HELPERS
THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE
Increase the level of oral hygiene assistance gradually.
Accept the fact that not everything will get brushed equally well the first few times. A good experience is easy to build on; a frustrating experience is not easily forgotten.
Every time teeth are brushed:
- take your time and aim for a calm atmosphere
- initiate contact and say What you are going to do
- speak calmly and use short sentences
- take breaks, as needed
- let people know things are going well, make compliments, and use humour when appropriate
- say when you're done
If brushing is difficult, at least make sure that the upper and lo-wer jaw get the same amount of attention each day: start With the upper jaw in the morning and the lower jaw in the evening.
TIME AND PLACE
If there is not enough time or peace and quiet in the mornings or evenings, choose a more suitable time.
What if toothbrushing in the bathroom isn't an option? Choose a different location, and take along water, a cup, and something to spit in.
HELPING SOMEONE BRUSH THEIR OWN TEETH
Brush your own teeth to demonstrate how iťs done, or just to break the ice.
Keep an eye on things and give pointers, if appropriate. You could also take a 100k together at the toothbrushing chart in this brochure.
Ask if you can rebrush a few places, if needed.
BRUSHING POSITION
Toothbrushing can be accomplished from different positions. Choose the position that best suits you and the person you are assisting. Things to think about: comfort, contact, good View of and access to the entire mouth. Don't forget about your back.
BOTH SEATED
Sit directly in front of the person you are assisting, With your legs wide apart. That will help achieve a stable position.
Make sure that the person you are assisting is seated comfortably and has sufficient head support (for example, a neck cushion). This is when the mouth muscles are most relaxed.
If the person you are assisting is seated in a stooped position, you can sit on a chair next to him/her or get on your knees in front of him/her (for the sake of your own health, make sure to keep your back straight).
YOU ARE STANDING, AND THE PERSON YOU ARE ASSISTING IS SEATED
Stand diagonally to the right of/behind the person you are assisting (or to the left if you are lefthanded). Cradle the other person's head between your armpit and free arm and hand while angling the head slightly downwards. ”CradIing" the head helps keep the head still, relaxes the mouth muscles, and prevents gagging.
YOU ARE STANDING, AND THE PERSON YOU ARE ASSISTING IS LYING IN BED
Raise the bed to hip height. And the head of the bed to a 45 degree angle.
Ask the person you are assisting to turn the head slightly towards you, if possible.
If the head of the bed cannot be raised, lay the person on their side. Place a cardboard kidney dish (or a soft moisture-absorbent pad) under the cheek to allow fluids to drain from the mouth and prevent the other person from choking.
If the bed cannot be raised, do the above while seated.
With your free hand, hold the cheek and lips to the side so that you have a clear View of where you are brushing.
After brushing, do not wipe the mouth, but rather dab from the cheek to the mouth. Apply firm pressure for two seconds when you are finished. This promotes lip closure and the swallow reflex.
If someone tends to bite the toothbrush, you could try using a three-headed brush. On the advice of and With proper instruction from the dentist or dental hygienist, you could also try using a bite stick.
In order to prevent fracture it is recommended to perform denture cleaning over a raised area and place a towel over it. Such in case the denture falls.
THE USE OF GLOVES PREVENTS GERM TRANSMISSION!
