Introduction to Mouth Care
Most people can brush their own teeth but sometimes it is necessary for you to assist the person you care for with mouth care. Mouth care is an important part of a person’s health.
Regular care and cleaning of gums and teeth:
- Helps people to eat
- Provides people a sense of comfort
- Helps people chew more easily
- Improves a person’s appetite.
- Reduces germs that cause infection
Learn how to provide good mouth care, with regular brushing and rinsing of the teeth. When caring for someone, you want to brush the person’s teeth correctly and do it in a safe way so they will not choke on fluid in their mouth.
Here is Dan's Story:
I give care to my mother, who had a stroke two years ago. She was always a person who took good care of herself. Mouth care was part of that. Unless I have her sitting up straight, she chokes easily on the liquid in her mouth. That used to frighten me. But once I did this a few times, it got easier. Now, mom and I have our routine, and I help her brush her teeth two to three times a day while she sits up at the kitchen table. We work well together and I believe it helps mom keep her appetite.