Carers · Advice
Carer advice
Small changes make a big difference.
Older people are more prone to decay — often because medication leaves them with a dry mouth, and receding gums expose softer, more vulnerable root surfaces. A few adjustments help a great deal.
Keep the mouth regularly moistened with water. Gum recession exposes the softer root dentine, which is sensitive and more prone to decay — so gentle, regular cleaning matters even more with age.
Helping someone with dementia
Good oral hygiene can be difficult with dementia. Few people forget how to clean their teeth, but they may not remember the toothpaste or the timing, and may not like it being imposed. Cleaning at the same time, and copying or “mirroring”, often helps.
Electric toothbrushes
Electric brushes have improved a lot, and regular users tend to need less treatment than those using a manual brush:
- Use a rechargeable brush — a good entry-level model is plenty.
- Use the smaller round heads (bigger ones miss areas); two minutes gives time to clean everywhere.
- An interspace head helps where gums have receded.
- Colour-banded heads let each person have their own.
Caring for dentures
Clean dentures with a specialist denture brush; a soaking cleaner with tablets is a great help. A few weeks of overnight cleaning gradually removes heavy build-up. See our full denture-care guide.
Many resources for carers — from KOHC, FutureLearn and the NHS — are linked from our support-links page.
Watch
See how it’s done
A short film on cleaning technique and the tools that help when caring for someone else.
Caring made easier
The right tools and a gentle routine protect comfort and health.