How to Help Someone Else Brush Their Teeth
Helping another person brush their teeth can feel like a very simple part of caring for them but it can sometimes be surprisingly difficult.
An older person may have reduced mobility or find it difficult to grip a toothbrush. Someone living with dementia may not understand why you are trying to clean their teeth. Other people may be uncomfortable opening their mouth or may simply value their independence and dislike needing help with something they have done themselves for their entire life.
Whatever the circumstances good oral care remains extremely important.
Helping someone look after their teeth is not just about keeping their smile clean. A comfortable and healthy mouth helps them eat speak and enjoy everyday life without unnecessary pain.
With patience a consistent routine and a few simple techniques assisted brushing can become much easier for both the person receiving care and the person helping them.
Why Someone Might Need Help Brushing Their Teeth
There are many reasons why a person might need assistance with their daily oral care.
Some people can brush independently but struggle to reach certain areas. Others may need somebody to prepare the toothbrush or guide their hand. Some people will need their carer or family member to do most of the brushing for them.
Common reasons include:
Reduced mobility
Arthritis or difficulty gripping objects
Weakness following illness or surgery
Poor eyesight
Tremors
Dementia or memory problems
Learning disabilities
Neurological conditions
Recovery following a stroke
General frailty
The amount of help required can also change over time.
Where possible encourage the person to remain involved in their own oral care. They may still be perfectly capable of brushing some areas themselves even if they need help finishing the job.
Maintaining that independence can be important.
Make Oral Care Part of a Familiar Routine
Consistency can make assisted brushing much easier.
Try to clean the person’s teeth at roughly the same times each day. Ideally natural teeth should be brushed twice daily using fluoride toothpaste.
A familiar routine can be particularly useful for somebody living with dementia.
Rather than suddenly announcing that it is time to brush their teeth try incorporating it naturally into the morning and evening routine.
You might brush after getting washed and dressed in the morning then again while preparing for bed.
The more familiar the process becomes the less unusual or intrusive it may feel.
Explain What You Are Doing
Do not assume that someone understands what is happening simply because toothbrushing is an everyday activity.
Explain what you are going to do before you start.
Keep your language straightforward and reassuring.
For example you might say that you are going to help them clean their teeth before bed.
If you need them to open their mouth ask rather than simply beginning.
This is particularly important when helping somebody who may feel vulnerable or confused.
Try not to rush the process. If the person becomes distressed it may be better to stop and try again shortly afterwards rather than turning brushing into a confrontation.
Find a Comfortable Position
Good positioning makes brushing easier and safer.
The ideal position will depend on the person’s mobility and where they are most comfortable.
Some people may be able to stand at the bathroom sink as normal while you assist from beside them.
Someone with reduced mobility may be more comfortable sitting in a chair.
If the person uses a wheelchair you may be able to stand slightly behind and to the side of them. This can provide a good view of the mouth while allowing you to gently support their head if necessary.
Make sure you can see what you are doing and that both you and the person you are helping are comfortable.
You should not have to twist yourself into an awkward position to reach their teeth.
Use the Right Toothbrush
A small headed toothbrush with soft or medium bristles will work well for many people.
An electric toothbrush can also be extremely useful.
Electric toothbrushes do much of the brushing movement for you which can make them particularly helpful for people with limited dexterity. They can also make assisted brushing easier because you can concentrate on positioning the brush correctly rather than creating the brushing motion yourself.
Some people may initially dislike the noise or vibration of an electric toothbrush. If this happens do not force it. A manual toothbrush used properly is still effective.
If gripping a toothbrush is the main problem there are adapted handles and grips available that make toothbrushes easier to hold.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride helps protect natural teeth against decay.
Use a fluoride toothpaste suitable for the person you are caring for unless their dentist has recommended something different.
Only a small amount is required.
After brushing encourage the person to spit out the excess toothpaste if they are able to do so.
Avoid immediately rinsing the mouth with water because this washes away the fluoride left behind by the toothpaste.
If the person has difficulty spitting or swallowing speak to their dentist or healthcare team for advice specific to their circumstances.
How to Brush Someone Else’s Teeth
Start by making sure you have good visibility.
Gently lift the lip where necessary so you can see the surfaces of the teeth and the gum line.
Brush systematically rather than moving randomly around the mouth.
You might start with the outside surfaces of the upper teeth then move to the inside surfaces before doing the same on the lower teeth.
Remember the biting surfaces of the back teeth too.
Pay particular attention to the point where the teeth meet the gums because plaque can easily collect here.
You do not need to scrub aggressively.
Gentle controlled brushing is more effective and much more comfortable.
Aim for around two minutes of brushing overall but do not become too concerned about the exact time. Thorough cleaning is more important than watching the clock.
Do Not Forget the Back Teeth
When helping another person brush it is easy to concentrate on the front teeth because they are the easiest to see.
The back teeth are just as important.
Food and plaque can accumulate around molars particularly if the person has difficulty chewing or cleaning independently.
Gently move the cheek aside if necessary so you can see where you are brushing.
A toothbrush with a relatively small head can make these areas easier to reach.
Cleaning Between the Teeth
A toothbrush cannot effectively clean every surface between the teeth.
For people who are able to manage them interdental brushes can be a useful addition to the daily routine.
Floss may also be appropriate but helping somebody else floss can be difficult.
Floss holders or handled interdental products may make the process easier.
The most suitable method depends on the spaces between the person’s teeth and their individual oral health so ask their dentist or hygienist if you are unsure.
Helping Someone With Dementia
Oral care can become more challenging when somebody is living with dementia.
They may forget what a toothbrush is for or become confused about why somebody is putting something into their mouth.
Try to keep the environment calm.
Use short instructions and demonstrate what you want them to do.
Sometimes giving the person their toothbrush and brushing your own teeth alongside them can encourage them to copy the action.
You can also place your hand over theirs and gently guide the toothbrush if they are comfortable with this.
If they become distressed avoid turning the situation into a battle. Give them some time and try again later.
A calm approach repeated consistently will usually be more successful than trying to force the entire routine at once.
Look for Signs of Dental Problems
Helping someone brush their teeth also gives you an opportunity to notice changes in their mouth.
You do not need to carry out a dental examination but pay attention to anything obviously different.
Look out for:
Broken teeth
Loose teeth
Swollen or bleeding gums
Ulcers that are not healing
Red or white patches
Swelling
Persistent bad breath
Signs of pain while brushing
Difficulty eating
Changes in the way dentures fit
If something looks unusual or appears to be causing discomfort seek advice from a dental professional.
Do not assume that pain or difficulty eating is simply part of getting older.
What If Their Gums Bleed?
Seeing blood while brushing can make carers reluctant to continue cleaning the area.
However bleeding gums are often associated with inflammation caused by plaque.
Stopping brushing completely can allow more plaque to accumulate and make the problem worse.
Continue cleaning gently around the gum line and arrange dental advice if the bleeding persists or you are concerned.
Heavy bleeding or unexplained bleeding should always be assessed appropriately.
Remember Dentures Too
If the person has dentures these need daily care as well.
Remove dentures carefully and clean them using an appropriate denture cleaning method.
It is a good idea to clean them over a bowl of water or a folded towel. Dentures can be surprisingly easy to break if they are dropped onto a hard sink or bathroom floor.
The person’s mouth still needs cleaning even if they have no natural teeth.
Gently clean the gums tongue and other soft tissues as appropriate.
Unless a dental professional has advised otherwise dentures should generally be removed overnight to give the tissues underneath them a rest.
Make It About Comfort as Well as Cleanliness
Good oral care should never become purely another task on a care checklist.
A clean comfortable mouth can make a genuine difference to someone’s day.
It can help them enjoy food communicate confidently and avoid unnecessary discomfort.
This is particularly important for somebody who may find it difficult to explain that something hurts.
If a person suddenly becomes reluctant to eat refuses to wear their dentures touches their face repeatedly or behaves differently there may be an underlying dental problem.
Ask for Help When You Need It
You are not expected to diagnose dental problems yourself.
If brushing has become increasingly difficult or you notice changes in someone’s mouth speak to a dental professional.
They may be able to recommend different brushing techniques or products that make daily care easier.
For people who are housebound or unable to attend a traditional dental surgery domiciliary dental services may also be available depending on where they live.
A Little Help Can Make a Big Difference
Helping another person brush their teeth is an important part of supporting their overall wellbeing.
The best approach is usually simple: establish a routine take your time use the right equipment and allow the person to remain as involved as they comfortably can.
Most importantly remember that you are helping a person rather than simply cleaning a set of teeth.
Patience reassurance and respect matter just as much as brushing technique.
When oral care is approached in this way it can become a comfortable and familiar part of the daily routine while helping to protect the person’s teeth gums and quality of life.