She has been seen repeatedly by the dentist, periodontist, etc. but she’s so bothered that, with any mention or food (and it’s quickly becoming difficult to get her to eat without constant reminders to eat), she just talks about how much the food will bother her teeth. We have her using sensodyne and have tried orajel. I have thought of getting a waterpik. I hate for her to be so uncomfortable. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Briefly, recommends: 1. Find a Functional Dental Practioner near you. 2. Make sure you are using the right products. 3. Dry mouth/sleeping with mouth open :(4. Waterpic is great, so is flossing, use soft toothbrush, tongue scrapping(often easier to manipulate than flossing) 5. Again, avoid harsh dental products; you must maintain balance of good + bad bacteria, the microbiome in our mouths! Best Wishes!
My Mom tried to use a Water Pik a few years ago, and couldn't because the pulsating stream hurt her gums and she had a hard time bending over the sink for that long period of time.
Regarding your Mom, after she goes to the dentist to get a cleaning, does she complain about the food hurting her mouth? Does the dental hygienist notice that her gums bleed easily? I don't know how old your Mom is, however, at some point, they stopped giving my Mom a full clean and polish as she was unable to keep her mouth open for that long of a time.
As my Mom's dementia is getting worse, I've noticed that more and more food gets trapped in the area between her teeth and upper lip area. Her tongue appears incapable of cleaning the food from that area. It is the worst in the upper front of her mouth. (remember, this is AFTER she has brushed her teeth!)
Before I brush her teeth, I always ask her to rinse many, many times as she also cannot swish water adequately in her mouth and spit it out. It is rather gross what comes out. But eventually the water is reasonably clear and I can go about brushing and flossing her teeth without considering wearing safety glasses.
As her gums recede, food also gets stuck in the triangular area between 2 teeth and the gum. The electric toothbrush does not get it out. I have to use the "proxy" brushes to push the food out. I have gotten up to 1/8" meat chunks from certain areas. I also use the bristles of the proxy brush to lightly massage the gums between the teeth. I know that she can feel the food leave the area, however, she never says that the food is bothering her before I remove it.
So in your case, maybe her receding gums are really holding pockets of food, which in turn, is making her mouth hurt when she chews.
Just thoughts...
She may think it is her teeth but with pocketing bit of food remain between the cheek and gums, sometimes up pretty high where sometimes your tongue can't even reach. Or sometimes it is even under the tongue.
I used to remind my Husband to take a sip of whatever he was drinking before he took another bite, this got some out but I would always use a swab after he ate and would go around the mouth. (even when he went to pureed foods and thickened liquids I would give him a spoon full of thickened water or whatever his liquid was between bites)
She was put under for the procedure. Next day she was feeling great. She eats whatever she wants!
Also, get a small toothbrush that your mom can carry in her pocket and do a dry brush when her teeth feel dirty or sore. Well, that is what I do.
Another thing is to try out different mouthwashes, inclg non-alcoholic rinses. Try out various toothpastes - maybe she'd like a box of baking soda, as in the olden times.
People brought him all manner of tasty food. "I can't eat", he'd say sadly.
Doctors came in, poke and prodded. "I can't eat", he told them.
A psych consult was ordered. After a 10 minute conversation, the psychiatrist said, "this man has had a stroke. Get a speech language persons in here stat".
Two things. He had damage to his expressive language center. "I can't eat" actually meant " I can't swallow". He had an impaired swallow reflex.
My mom had a similar issue, post stroke. She kept telling us her throat her, pointing in her mouth. We finally realized it was her NECK that hurt (it's on the other side of your throat, right...)
Someone mentioned pureed foods and smoothies which is a great idea.
Your moms brain is now broken and "logic doesn't live there anymore," so I wouldn't waste anymore money at the dentists office, and just help her eat the best you can.
In the meantime, offer her a milkshake and smoothies w fruit to get calories into her body. As time and disease progress, eating becomes less and less with these elders, indicating end of life may be approaching. Then it's time for a hospice evaluation to make sure she's kept comfortable.
Best of luck