Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 When Mom struggled with brushing, I started to take her more often to the dentist for a cleaning. It became every 2-3 months. While this isn't the best , it was better than none and maybe the Dentist, with a forwarn, can let her know she needs to brush more often. He can even give her a new brush and show her how again. Might work? Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. The brushing teeth thing... The unfortunate problem about Grandma's teeth issue is she THINKS she's already doing it right! She refuses to use mouth wash and she won't put those little pink foam things in her mouth. She takes the toothbrush and puts soap on it or toothpaste then scrubs her hands with it or scrubs the sink with it or rubs it on her hands or rubs it together with her hair brush. It never gets anywhere near her mouth. But when I try to help or gently correct her she gets angry and either says " I already did it! " or " Listen missy, I've been doing this since before you were born! leave me alone! " or " I AM brushing my teeth! " I can't convince her to try it my way or a different way. She thinks how she is doing it is the way its supposed to be done and thats all there is to it. I don't know what it is but she's getting more and more angry/mean/belligerent about that and everything else lately. We've had her tested for UTI and she is clear. Thats why I'm so worried about the teeth thing. I'm really wondering if the bacteria build up in her mouth is contributing to her bad attitude lately. Emma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 yes, that will be the next step. I was thinking even trying to get her in once a month. We'd have to see if I could sneak that by her though. Her memory is usually terrible at this point but its amazing the few random things she will latch onto and remember! ;-) > > When Mom struggled with brushing, I started to take her more often to the dentist for a cleaning. It became every 2-3 months. While this isn't the best , it was better than none and maybe the Dentist, with a forwarn, can let her know she needs to brush more often. > > He can even give her a new brush and show her how again. > > Might work? > > Hugs, > > Donna R > > Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. > She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. > > > The brushing teeth thing... > > The unfortunate problem about Grandma's teeth issue is she THINKS she's already doing it > right! She refuses to use mouth wash and she won't put those little pink foam things in her > mouth. She takes the toothbrush and puts soap on it or toothpaste then scrubs her hands > with it or scrubs the sink with it or rubs it on her hands or rubs it together with her hair > brush. It never gets anywhere near her mouth. But when I try to help or gently correct her > she gets angry and either says " I already did it! " or " Listen missy, I've been doing this since > before you were born! leave me alone! " or " I AM brushing my teeth! " I can't convince her to > try it my way or a different way. She thinks how she is doing it is the way its supposed to be > done and thats all there is to it. > I don't know what it is but she's getting more and more angry/mean/belligerent about that > and everything else lately. We've had her tested for UTI and she is clear. Thats why I'm so > worried about the teeth thing. I'm really wondering if the bacteria build up in her mouth is > contributing to her bad attitude lately. > Emma > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 One of the problems with LBD is that the LO can't be taught anything. Their minds do not grasp it. Love a bunch, Imogene In a message dated 12/28/2007 9:28:42 AM Central Standard Time, twomido@... writes: When Mom struggled with brushing, I started to take her more often to the dentist for a cleaning. It became every 2-3 months. While this isn't the best , it was better than none and maybe the Dentist, with a forwarn, can let her know she needs to brush more often. He can even give her a new brush and show her how again. Might work? Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Absolutely on their remembering once in a while, Something out of the blue of all the forgetfulness! Love a lot, Imogene In a message dated 12/28/2007 9:47:48 AM Central Standard Time, emsyfay@... writes: yes, that will be the next step. I was thinking even trying to get her in once a month. We'd have to see if I could sneak that by her though. Her memory is usually terrible at this point but its amazing the few random things she will latch onto and remember! ;-) **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Okay, i am glad you are not holding the bag here, and that everyone is on the same page. too often, the folks in leftfield are there to throw 20/20 hindsight monkey wrenches into the game on Monday mornings. You got all that, right? So, at least that is not the case with your family. I am thinking maybe frosting some of the breath-freshening dog bones with Scope flavored frosting. Lay out a pretty plate, and see what happens. You obviously have done all of the things we might have suggested, and we do know about brushing the sink, knuckles, and hair, and calling it " done " . So, I am thinking the dog treats for dental health. You are interested in removing plaque, and you can't get the brush in. And who knows, she may then roll over and want her tummy scratched. Or, inject a little Scope into a grape. would she chew on a washcloth? What might she do with a teething toy? You get the points today for stumping the panel. You have already tried a plethora of ideas, so now we will play with the ridiculous while granny's teeth deteriorate. At least Millie's teeth come out, so I can clean them while she is sleeping. Would grandma chew some sugarless gum? and, finally....At least an elephant isn't likely to take a dump in her mouth! i am trying here! OXOX, Carol > > The unfortunate problem about Grandma's teeth issue is she THINKS she's already doing it > right! She refuses to use mouth wash and she won't put those little pink foam things in her > mouth. She takes the toothbrush and puts soap on it or toothpaste then scrubs her hands > with it or scrubs the sink with it or rubs it on her hands or rubs it together with her hair > brush. It never gets anywhere near her mouth. But when I try to help or gently correct her > she gets angry and either says " I already did it! " or " Listen missy, I've been doing this since > before you were born! leave me alone! " or " I AM brushing my teeth! " I can't convince her to > try it my way or a different way. She thinks how she is doing it is the way its supposed to be > done and thats all there is to it. > I don't know what it is but she's getting more and more angry/mean/belligerent about that > and everything else lately. We've had her tested for UTI and she is clear. Thats why I'm so > worried about the teeth thing. I'm really wondering if the bacteria build up in her mouth is > contributing to her bad attitude lately. > Emma > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 After laughing my way through Carol, and I agree Ron, lets hope she doesn't charge for it, I thought of one more I might try. If she thinks she has brushed already, I wonder what she would do if you told her she missed a big black spot! If she is at all vain, she might try again? Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. Re: The brushing teeth thing... Okay, i am glad you are not holding the bag here, and that everyone is on the same page. too often, the folks in leftfield are there to throw 20/20 hindsight monkey wrenches into the game on Monday mornings. You got all that, right? So, at least that is not the case with your family. I am thinking maybe frosting some of the breath-freshening dog bones with Scope flavored frosting. Lay out a pretty plate, and see what happens. You obviously have done all of the things we might have suggested, and we do know about brushing the sink, knuckles, and hair, and calling it " done " . So, I am thinking the dog treats for dental health. You are interested in removing plaque, and you can't get the brush in. And who knows, she may then roll over and want her tummy scratched. Or, inject a little Scope into a grape. would she chew on a washcloth? What might she do with a teething toy? You get the points today for stumping the panel. You have already tried a plethora of ideas, so now we will play with the ridiculous while granny's teeth deteriorate. At least Millie's teeth come out, so I can clean them while she is sleeping. Would grandma chew some sugarless gum? and, finally....At least an elephant isn't likely to take a dump in her mouth! i am trying here! OXOX, Carol > > The unfortunate problem about Grandma's teeth issue is she THINKS she's already doing it > right! She refuses to use mouth wash and she won't put those little pink foam things in her > mouth. She takes the toothbrush and puts soap on it or toothpaste then scrubs her hands > with it or scrubs the sink with it or rubs it on her hands or rubs it together with her hair > brush. It never gets anywhere near her mouth. But when I try to help or gently correct her > she gets angry and either says " I already did it! " or " Listen missy, I've been doing this since > before you were born! leave me alone! " or " I AM brushing my teeth! " I can't convince her to > try it my way or a different way. She thinks how she is doing it is the way its supposed to be > done and thats all there is to it. > I don't know what it is but she's getting more and more angry/mean/belligerent about that > and everything else lately. We've had her tested for UTI and she is clear. Thats why I'm so > worried about the teeth thing. I'm really wondering if the bacteria build up in her mouth is > contributing to her bad attitude lately. > Emma > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Emma, just a thought. It sounds like your grandmother doesn't want to put anything into her mouth. Perhaps she has a toothache, needs some kind of dental attention? > > The unfortunate problem about Grandma's teeth issue is she THINKS she's already doing it > right! She refuses to use mouth wash and she won't put those little pink foam things in her > mouth. She takes the toothbrush and puts soap on it or toothpaste then scrubs her hands > with it or scrubs the sink with it or rubs it on her hands or rubs it together with her hair > brush. It never gets anywhere near her mouth. But when I try to help or gently correct her > she gets angry and either says " I already did it! " or " Listen missy, I've been doing this since > before you were born! leave me alone! " or " I AM brushing my teeth! " I can't convince her to > try it my way or a different way. She thinks how she is doing it is the way its supposed to be > done and thats all there is to it. > I don't know what it is but she's getting more and more angry/mean/belligerent about that > and everything else lately. We've had her tested for UTI and she is clear. Thats why I'm so > worried about the teeth thing. I'm really wondering if the bacteria build up in her mouth is > contributing to her bad attitude lately. > Emma > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 The hygenist is typically the most busy at the dentist's office, and the appointments kind of circle around them. Call your dentist and explain the situation, and that maybe the full cleaning is not so necessary, but if an assistant might be able to do a little scrubbing and scraping and not take up the hygentist's time every visit. We can't be the only ones to have ever had this problem. My bigger worry is that Millie would not behave at the dentist's office either. My son hates to work on his grandma, and is delighted we can send the teeth in a box. God help us if they ever had to do impressions on Millie again. Do you have a water pick? Would she play with it, or just sqirt the messenger? Carol --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 I know that having a dog's teeth cleaned can almost change the dog's personality. You may be absolutely right about the bacteria bothering her. How about acidophilus? If she ever eats again the acidophilus would at least help with the good bateria, and maybe wipe out some of the bad. I liked the idea of saying there was something caught in her teeth. and I think the thought about not wanting anything in her mouth is right on the money as well. Is the swallowing reflex startingto fail? Millie sometimes has a rough time with her pills, even though it isn't the size of the pill that seems to choke her. What about the Listerine strips? they dissove very quickly and would kill bacteria. they put dogs under to clean their teeth, but our Lewies are so sensitive to drugs, that you can't even take grandma to the vet for a cleaning. What could you wrap a Listerine strip around that she might insert into her mouth? None of this is funny, I know, and you just happen to have a non-life- threatening problem that begs 2 cents from me at every thought. XOXO, Carol > > > > The unfortunate problem about Grandma's teeth issue is she THINKS she's already doing > it > > right! She refuses to use mouth wash and she won't put those little pink foam things in > her > > mouth. She takes the toothbrush and puts soap on it or toothpaste then scrubs her > hands > > with it or scrubs the sink with it or rubs it on her hands or rubs it together with her hair > > brush. It never gets anywhere near her mouth. But when I try to help or gently correct > her > > she gets angry and either says " I already did it! " or " Listen missy, I've been doing this > since > > before you were born! leave me alone! " or " I AM brushing my teeth! " I can't convince > her to > > try it my way or a different way. She thinks how she is doing it is the way its supposed > to be > > done and thats all there is to it. > > I don't know what it is but she's getting more and more angry/mean/belligerent about > that > > and everything else lately. We've had her tested for UTI and she is clear. Thats why I'm > so > > worried about the teeth thing. I'm really wondering if the bacteria build up in her mouth > is > > contributing to her bad attitude lately. > > Emma > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Interesting Millie would not behave at the dentist's office, especially if he was her grandson. Even when Mom was low with a UTI and eye infection from not opening them, not eating much, I scheduled her for a dental checkup with the travelling dentist who visited her nh. She was basically unresponsive at the time, but when I asked if she wanted to have a checkup she responded yes. I wheeled her to the appointment, warned them it was highly unlikely she would respond, and then on cue the mouth opened wider than imagined and her dental cleaning/checkup was done! She had always been very proactive with tooth care. It was important and broke through the fog right to the end. At 92 she died with her own teeth, albeit broken and decayed, without pain, thankfully. > > The hygenist is typically the most busy at the dentist's office, and the appointments kind of circle around them. > > Call your dentist and explain the situation, and that maybe the full cleaning is not so necessary, but if an assistant might be able to do a little scrubbing and scraping and not take up the hygentist's time every visit. > > We can't be the only ones to have ever had this problem. > > My bigger worry is that Millie would not behave at the dentist's office either. > > My son hates to work on his grandma, and is delighted we can send the teeth in a box. > > God help us if they ever had to do impressions on Millie again. > > Do you have a water pick? Would she play with it, or just sqirt the messenger? > > Carol > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 Are you kidding me Carol?!?!? This is HILARIOUS! Then again I've been out having drinks with an old friend from high school and most things are funny right now. I hadn't thought of the acidophilus, the listerine strips, or telling her she has a big icky thing in her teeth! Those are new things to try after I sleep in tomorrow and spend the day snuggling with my kitty. I DOOO love Saturdays. My day to stay in PJs and be responsible for nothing but what I (ME ME ME!!!) want to do. Never in my life did I EVER think that the functions of someone else's bowels and bacteria would have such an impact on my life. From the distance of a few beers it really is a stitch! Emma ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 There was something about the dentist and Mom, who hadn't ever been to a strange dentist until she came to live with me, would " open wide. " Even while she was in the NH and the dentist came in. I think she prized her teeth and that is long term memory not short term. Hugs, Donna R Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in a nh. She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine. Re: The brushing teeth thing... The hygenist is typically the most busy at the dentist's office, and the appointments kind of circle around them. Call your dentist and explain the situation, and that maybe the full cleaning is not so necessary, but if an assistant might be able to do a little scrubbing and scraping and not take up the hygentist's time every visit. We can't be the only ones to have ever had this problem. My bigger worry is that Millie would not behave at the dentist's office either. My son hates to work on his grandma, and is delighted we can send the teeth in a box. God help us if they ever had to do impressions on Millie again. Do you have a water pick? Would she play with it, or just sqirt the messenger? Carol --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 28, 2007 Report Share Posted December 28, 2007 oh emma -- soooo glad you got out to have some fun -- and KNOW just what you mean by NEVER expecting that bacteria/bowels would have SUCH an impact on you. lol -- i know EXACTLY what you mean. wrote to a friend earlier today that 2007 had been the year bm's had become central to my life. xoxo anna Re: The brushing teeth thing... Are you kidding me Carol?!?!? This is HILARIOUS! Then again I've been out having drinks with an old friend from high school and most things are funny right now. I hadn't thought of the acidophilus, the listerine strips, or telling her she has a big icky thing in her teeth! Those are new things to try after I sleep in tomorrow and spend the day snuggling with my kitty. I DOOO love Saturdays. My day to stay in PJs and be responsible for nothing but what I (ME ME ME!!!) want to do. Never in my life did I EVER think that the functions of someone else's bowels and bacteria would have such an impact on my life. From the distance of a few beers it really is a stitch! Emma ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools. search.yahoo. com/newsearch/ category. php?category= shopping ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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