← Return to Any helpful hints on managing your loved one's oral hygiene?

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@bclane

Is he unable to brush his own teeth now? My husband only brushes his at night (unless he's going to the doctor or dentist), but I have to remind him/nag him every night. He was always bad about only brushing once a day, so the schedule is still the same. It's just that he no longer thinks of it on his own. And forget flossing—unless something is stuck in there, he never did that, yet he seldom had any dental issues.

He'll be 89 this summer, so I've decided not to worry too much about it. His teeth will probably last as long as he does, so I'll just keep reminding/nagging him to brush before bed.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Is he unable to brush his own teeth now? My husband only brushes his at night..."

Interesting that you posted about oral hygiene. I am noticing a change in diligence here for my mom now. I can see that she is not flossing - but this is only when I am really close. Often this is harder now because she is constantly moving and finding something to do. I work remotely - so when my dad is away at work for a few hours - I just aim to keep a pulse on what she is doing so that it does not appear as if I am micromanaging her movements. The micromanaging is actually her term that she started using in the last two years. I know though that her oral hygiene is not good at all. She will often start brushing, walking around with the toothbrush in her mouth, and doing laundry, playing with the dog...just not sanitary and not going to result in a completed task. Like you, I am not sure what to do here or how to address it because if there are too many reminders, she blows up at you. The micromanaging accusations get thrown out there and then she's over agitated. SO...you know...