TOOTHETTES
Advantage:
Moisturizing: soft oral
tissues, such as the
inside of the cheeks.
Healthy Mouth
Happy Elder
Disadvantage:
Choking hazard: Foam heads may detach
from the stick when resident bites down
suddenly. The foam head stuck in the
resident’s mouth may lead to choking.4
o Consider using a small toothbrush
(eg. child size) instead, especially
for a resistant resident.
Poor removal of oral bacteria:
Toothettes (oral sponge/swab) are not
useful in removing bacterial plaque from
teeth. 5
o Oral bacteria building up in the
mouth leads to gum disease and
cavities.
o Oral bacteria may also go into the
lungs, causing an infection.
(aspiration pneumonia)6
References:
1) Canadian Dental Association. Dental care for seniors.
flossing & brushing. [cited 2011 Nov 11]. Available from:
http://www.cdaadc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_seniors/flossing_b
rushing.asp
2) Canadian Dental Association. Oral Health Complications.
Gum Disease [cited 2011 Nov 11].Available
from:http://www.cdaadc.ca/en/oral_health/complications/diseases/gum_diseas
es.asp
3) Canadian Dental Association.Oral Health Complications.
Gingivitis [cited 2011 Nov 11].Available
from:http://www.cdaadc.ca/en/oral_health/complications/diseases/gingivitis.asp
4) Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
Medical Device Alert- Oral hygiene swab. United
Kingdom: Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory
Agency;2008. Available from:
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/PrintPreview/PublicationSP/CON0
14383.
5) Pearson LS, Hutton JL. A controlled trial to compare the
ability of foam swabs and toothbrushes to remove dental
plaque. J Adv Nurs. 2002 Sep;39(5):480-9.
6) Yoon M, Steele C. The oral care imperative the link
between oral hygiene and aspiration pneumonia. Top
Geriatr Rehabil. 2007; 23(3):280-8.
What you need to know
about gum disease, teeth
and tooth brushing
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection of your gums that
support the teeth.
Tooth brushing 101:
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is usually caused by a build-up of
plaque, which is an invisible sticky layer of bacteria
that forms naturally on the teeth and gums. If
bacteria are not brushed off daily, they can cause
the gums to become infected, irritated and
damaged. If bacteria are not removed from the teeth
they can also form a rock-hard layer called tartar.
Step 1: Use a soft brush with rounded bristles.
Choose a size and shape that allow you to
reach all the way to the back teeth. Replace the
toothbrush every three months, and after a cold
or the flu.
WHY is tooth brushing important?
Regular, thorough tooth brushing is a very
important step in preventing gum disease,
cavities and even lung infections.
Symptoms
Many people with gum disease are unaware they
have a problem because it often has no pain or
symptoms. Some signs of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums when brushing.
- Red and swollen gums.
- Bad breath.
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Types of Gum Disease
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. At this
early stage of gum disease, the damage can still be
reversed.
Periodontitis is the later stage of gum disease
where the supporting bone and gum that hold the
teeth in place are forever damaged. This can cause
the teeth to loosen and affect how a person bites
and eats. He or she may even lose their teeth.
Step 2: Brush at a 45 degree angle to the teeth.
Put the bristles to where the gums and teeth
meet. Use a gentle, circular, massaging motion,
up and down. Don't brush too hard because
gums can be damaged.
Brushing removes the bacteria that can cause
gum disease and cavities. It can even help
prevent breathing problems, because elders
who clean their teeth regularly have a lower risk
of getting lung infections, like pneumonia. This
happens when bacteria travels from the mouth
to the lungs causing an infection.
HOW OFTEN should an elder brush?
Make sure the elders brush their teeth at
least once a day (preferably twice)! Check if all
surfaces of the teeth are clean. This means you
or the elder must brush the cheek side, the
tongue side and the top of each tooth.
Brushing the tongue and lining of the mouth also
removes harmful bacteria that can cause
problems.
Step 3: Clean every surface of every tooth. This
means brushing the cheek side, the tongue side
and the top of each tooth.
Step 4: Slow down. A thorough brushing should
take two to three minutes. Don’t forget to brush
the tongue and lining of the mouth!