How Do You Help Your Dad With Oral Care When Arthritis Affects His Fingers?

Arthritis makes it hard to grip items. There’s the swelling and stiffness that can make it hard to hold a small toothbrush handle. Holding onto tiny pieces of floss is also impossible. When this happens, it can affect how well seniors can brush and floss the teeth.

Caregiver in Wellington FL: Senior Oral Care

Your dad is having a hard time, but the thought of brushing and flossing his teeth is uncomfortable.

Here are some of the ways you can help him…

Purchase an Electric Toothbrush

The larger handle on electric toothbrushes can make them easier for your dad to hold. You should take him to a store where he can feel the weight of different toothbrushes to find the right one. You have many options. Budget-friendly brushes like the Spinbrush are one option, but you can go for others with replaceable heads like the Oral-B Pro or Sonicare.

If an electric toothbrush is not appealing to your dad, look into slip-on toothbrush grips. These ergonomic grips slide over the toothbrush handle to make it wider and easier to hold. Grip-Easy and Numuv are two of the possibilities.

Buy a Water or an Air Flosser

If holding dental floss in aching fingers proves too hard for your dad, invest in an air or water flosser. These devices look like electric toothbrushes. The head squirts a blast of water between the teeth. They often work better than dental floss, and the round handle is easier for the elderly to hold.

Rechargeable units have a compartment for water or mouthwash right in the handle. There’s a plug-in model that has a large water chamber. The flosser connects to that water reservoir using a plastic tube. If your dad has plenty of counter space, he may prefer the larger unit. Again, you should let him feel different handles to find the right fit.

Using a plaque-loosening mouth rinse prior to flossing can help with plaque removal. It’s worth buying this type of rinse for your dad. Paired with a water or air flosser, his arthritis won’t make it hard for him to floss properly anymore.

Bring in Help for Grooming and Personal Care

If you or your dad don’t like the idea of you helping him brush and floss his teeth, don’t let his oral care decline. Hire caregivers to assist with personal care and grooming. Your dad can also sign up for services like meal preparation, companionship, and light housekeeping. Call a home care agency to discuss caregivers and their fees.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring a Caregiver in Wellington FL, please call the caring staff at Alongside Home Health.  Providing senior care in Palm Beach County and surrounding cities. Call for Assistance: (800) 712-4266

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Michelle Hankla, Patient Care Coordinator and Community Liaison

Patient Care Coordinator and Community Liaison at Alongside Home Health

Michelle has spent many years in a customer focused setting in a variety of community organizations. She has worked with seniors for many years particularly those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. As part of the Alongside team, she works closely with our client service team to ensure client satisfaction. She visits healthcare facilities, clients and their families to ensure that top notch care is being provided to their satisfaction. She is the interface between our caregivers, clients, and our organization that keeps everything operating smoothly. She has resided in Palm Beach county for many years and has two children.

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