Toronto Dentist, Dr. Natalie Archer, teaches those caring for someone else's teeth how to properly care for dentures, brush teeth and speaks to specialized cases one may see when it comes to Oral Hygiene and the elderly.
Dr. Archer, Thank you! I am a public health dental hygienist, currently developing a presentation for older adults, I found the information you provided to be very helpful. This video is excellent!
GREAT VIDEO!!! I have a trach, and I'm on a ventilator! I also require special care when brushing my teeth. I cannot swallow, so I tend to aspirate VERY easily! So keeping the suction nearby is VERY important! I have a G-Tube, because I am 100% Tube fed. I am also on the pulse oximeter, and other monitors, when I get my teeth cleaned at the dentist!
That was fantastic, thank you for this very informative video. I've learned a lot. I am an ICU nurse, we actually have no proper guidance about oral care. We used mouthwash dipped in a gauze and rubbed it inside patient's mouth. Thank you Dr Natalie and team.
good day Dr. Archer, I am interested in learning for you. I do enjoy watching your technique that you have for each patient. Do you have classes that you do, so that I can learn how to care for seniors the correct way.
Thank you very much for the video - very helpful. As a nurse and a mom of an adult child with intellectual and developmental disabilities who relies on caregivers to do his care, I find that training is essential for caregivers to understand the critical importance of oral care. So often in this population is not done and that can lead to all different kinds of medical problems. I do have a question though on strategies to get cooperation and easy access to provide care. A couple of years ago it dawned on me why the dentist would have the patient lay back and work from behind - it is so much easier to see and get access to teeth. It was not a natural position to try and we had years of struggling trying to get him to open his mouth. I can get my son to do this and it's very helpful but he does not live at home and what are some ways to get caregivers to try something like this rather than trying to brush coming from the front and my son closing his mouth or not relaxing his lips/cheeks so they can get to the back of his mouth of in the lower front? Does the wrap around toothbrush help to reach those areas? Any tips for working with the IDD population with positioning or tools that would help with oral care? Also - what about flossing? My son has minimal tolerance and I have never tried to floss his teeth - (he does not have the dexterity or attention to do it himself) - any tips or with the wrap around brush take care of a need to floss?
Hi, could you do a video or give some advice in relation to brushing the teeth for someone who cannot spit, which means the toothpaste just pools in his mouth and also the food debris I remove from the teeth stays in the mouth and can get stuck again in teeth or gums. I care for someone with cerebral palsy who is non verbal. He eats a pureed food diet. He also has a hole on top of the gum where the food gets stuck.
Hi Caroline, This is a great question and concern. It can be challenging to assist in oral care for patients that are unable to swallow. We suggest using an item such as a turkey baster. This will allow an easier removal of fluid. Flossing is also advised to assist with proper removal of food debris and bacteria in between the teeth. Thank you for seeking out assistance with Archer Dental. We hope that this advice will help you and your patient to achieve a more thorough, safe, and comfortable hygiene home-care experience.
