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She has been seen repeatedly by the dentist, periodontist, etc. but she’s so bothered that, with any mention or food (and it’s quickly becoming difficult to get her to eat without constant reminders to eat), she just talks about how much the food will bother her teeth. We have her using sensodyne and have tried orajel. I have thought of getting a waterpik. I hate for her to be so uncomfortable. Any suggestions? Thank you.

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Maybe try a soft diet for a while, it's surprising the number of foods that can fit into that category.
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I would schedule her for a swallow study with a speech/language pathologist
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OCD behaviors go with the territory for AD and dementia. Mom's dwelling on something that isn't even real, which you're futiley trying to fix! Ativan is a good calming medication that may help her stop fixating on this issue....call her doctor to discuss a strategy. And stop taking her back and forth to dental specialists for something unrelated to teeth, but more delusional in nature.

In the meantime, offer her a milkshake and smoothies w fruit to get calories into her body. As time and disease progress, eating becomes less and less with these elders, indicating end of life may be approaching. Then it's time for a hospice evaluation to make sure she's kept comfortable.

Best of luck
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Have you tried pureeing her food or just giving her soft foods? This will make it easier for her and won't "hurt her teeth" as there will be nothing to chew. And is someone feeding her, as she may have forgotten how to feed herself, and is just using the excuse that her teeth hurt?
Your moms brain is now broken and "logic doesn't live there anymore," so I wouldn't waste anymore money at the dentists office, and just help her eat the best you can.
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Just because she says its about her teeth does not mean its at all true. Does she have a sore in her mouth? Do her teeth look healthy? Any swelling or dark spots? Is she able to swallow easily? Does she cough after trying to swallow?

Someone mentioned pureed foods and smoothies which is a great idea.
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If she has gone and seem a dentist and a periodontist then there is nothing wrong with her teeth, its in her mind. As said, they get fixated on something and can't let it go. I agree to see if her doctor can give her something for the anxiety. Ensure will give her some of her nutrients. I put it in the freezer for about an hr and it thickens up like a milkshake.
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Years ago, my FIL was hospitalized with a kidney issue. After a day or so in the hospital he said "I can't eat".

People brought him all manner of tasty food. "I can't eat", he'd say sadly.

Doctors came in, poke and prodded. "I can't eat", he told them.

A psych consult was ordered. After a 10 minute conversation, the psychiatrist said, "this man has had a stroke. Get a speech language persons in here stat".

Two things. He had damage to his expressive language center. "I can't eat" actually meant " I can't swallow". He had an impaired swallow reflex.

My mom had a similar issue, post stroke. She kept telling us her throat her, pointing in her mouth. We finally realized it was her NECK that hurt (it's on the other side of your throat, right...)
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Thank you all!!
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My mom fixates on a problem…many that are from her past not current. I had her teeth xrayed and cleaned. Now I ignore the complaints and I tell her an appointment is soon. She forgets and then it is a new issue….clocks broken, tv broken, remote broken etc. also she uses wrong words…calls a phone a clock etc. She sees a dentist 2x yearly. Good Luck
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I just got a flosser I love. Helping someone else to use it might be difficult. It really helps clean teeth though and is worth trying. It has a controlled spray that cleans your teeth and gums. You can adjust its intensity.l to a very gentle level.
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Hi. Try "oil pulling". It is a soothing, hygienic daily ritual that bathes the gums and teeth in coconut oil. There are plenty of youtubes and internet info on how to do this. But basically, take a tablespoon of solid or liquid coconut oil and swish on it in your mouth for up to twenty minutes (recommended). Spit into a trashcan (not down the drain) and rinse, brush your teeth. It takes practice, so aim to start with less than a Tbs and a short amount of time. It will improve the overall condition of the mouth and teeth. You can also use olive oil, but coconut oil is recommended.

Also, get a small toothbrush that your mom can carry in her pocket and do a dry brush when her teeth feel dirty or sore. Well, that is what I do.

Another thing is to try out different mouthwashes, inclg non-alcoholic rinses. Try out various toothpastes - maybe she'd like a box of baking soda, as in the olden times.
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Santalynn Apr 2023
Oil pulling is a marvelous method for oral health and detoxing the body but I wonder whether a person with any type of dementia could do the 20 minutes of swishing, given swallow difficulty or being unable to resist swallowing, etc. I just heard that one of the major toothpaste companies is coming out with one that is also able to effectively break down plaque (eliminating need for anti-plaque mouthwashes.) This will help deter bacteria growth for better dental health. I also wonder whether the teeth fixation is not an actual medical/dental problem but a mental perseveration, which requires creative redirection.
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Before trying different ways of dental hygiene, take her to the dentist. My mom was having problems with one tooth. After seeing our dentist, it was determined that she had 3 abscess teeth! Dementia patients sometimes don’t feel pain. This was mom’s problem. The oral surgeon removed 9 teeth! Abscess, broken teeth some down to gum line, a few on their way out.
She was put under for the procedure. Next day she was feeling great. She eats whatever she wants!
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Make a party in her mouth................warm water and mouth wash in her flossing Waterpik. Maybe start dancing to 1950's rock n-roll: is Elvis in the house?
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Phartran3: Your mother has latched onto something as a fixation that can't be easily undone. As she has been seen by many a dental professional, with no indications of problems, you'll have to think of some creative ways for her to receive nourishment, i.e. her favorite foods or anything that will prevent weight loss as she is not eating.
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I would not do a waterpik just due to that they have to be angled right or can cause damage to her gums, or at least that's what I've read. Maybe a Sonicare, but definitely a visit to the dentist to see what they advise.
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I am wondering if "pocketing" is an issue.
She may think it is her teeth but with pocketing bit of food remain between the cheek and gums, sometimes up pretty high where sometimes your tongue can't even reach. Or sometimes it is even under the tongue.
I used to remind my Husband to take a sip of whatever he was drinking before he took another bite, this got some out but I would always use a swab after he ate and would go around the mouth. (even when he went to pureed foods and thickened liquids I would give him a spoon full of thickened water or whatever his liquid was between bites)
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My Mom has not complained about food bothering her teeth. However, maybe, this is related. Due to memory loss, my Mom is unable to adequately brush her teeth by herself. The dentist took me aside and assigned me brushing duties (ugh!) My Mom still brushes her teeth, however once a day, I give it a full clean.

My Mom tried to use a Water Pik a few years ago, and couldn't because the pulsating stream hurt her gums and she had a hard time bending over the sink for that long period of time.

Regarding your Mom, after she goes to the dentist to get a cleaning, does she complain about the food hurting her mouth? Does the dental hygienist notice that her gums bleed easily? I don't know how old your Mom is, however, at some point, they stopped giving my Mom a full clean and polish as she was unable to keep her mouth open for that long of a time.

As my Mom's dementia is getting worse, I've noticed that more and more food gets trapped in the area between her teeth and upper lip area. Her tongue appears incapable of cleaning the food from that area. It is the worst in the upper front of her mouth. (remember, this is AFTER she has brushed her teeth!)

Before I brush her teeth, I always ask her to rinse many, many times as she also cannot swish water adequately in her mouth and spit it out. It is rather gross what comes out. But eventually the water is reasonably clear and I can go about brushing and flossing her teeth without considering wearing safety glasses.

As her gums recede, food also gets stuck in the triangular area between 2 teeth and the gum. The electric toothbrush does not get it out. I have to use the "proxy" brushes to push the food out. I have gotten up to 1/8" meat chunks from certain areas. I also use the bristles of the proxy brush to lightly massage the gums between the teeth. I know that she can feel the food leave the area, however, she never says that the food is bothering her before I remove it.

So in your case, maybe her receding gums are really holding pockets of food, which in turn, is making her mouth hurt when she chews.

Just thoughts...
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I recently viewed a podcast by Dr David Perelmuter, a neuroscientist, whose guest was Mark Burhenne, DDS, a Ted Seaker, a leading researcher/ of Functional Medicine on mouth health in relationship to mental health; dementia/Alzheimer's, etc. Coincidently, Mark Burhenne lost his mother with the same issues that you are dealing with, therefore, the Dr. and his daughter have a website: Ask the Dentist.com. Highly recommend a must research. Offers a Newsletter.
Briefly, recommends: 1. Find a Functional Dental Practioner near you. 2. Make sure you are using the right products. 3. Dry mouth/sleeping with mouth open :(4. Waterpic is great, so is flossing, use soft toothbrush, tongue scrapping(often easier to manipulate than flossing) 5. Again, avoid harsh dental products; you must maintain balance of good + bad bacteria, the microbiome in our mouths! Best Wishes!
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