My husband can no longer understand how to floss. His gums are swollen, bleed, and smell bad. I try to floss his teeth for him, but it is a disaster. I brush with him for long periods, and then he can still understand how to use a water flosser. Tried the little pre-flossed sticks, and those are impossible. Any hints how to floss someone else?
The surgery may or may not be a good idea depending on how far along dh is into his dementia diagnosis. A consultation with the Periodontist should be useful.
Good luck.
Being able to use a water flosser is helpful after each meal. I myself would stop flossing his teeth. Curious, is he able to gargle, or would he swallow the mouth wash (a non-alcoholic mouth wash of course)? If unable to grasp gargling, then no to that idea. Xylitol mints after each meal & drinks are helpful too.
I would encourage you to have him use collidial silver as a rinse and swallow to help with the bleeding and swelling, that should handle the smell as blood in our mouths is an icky smell.