A healthy mouth is an important part of overall health and wellbeing.

Good oral care helps people to:

• Eat comfortably.
• Speak clearly.
• Feel confident.
• Stay well.

Poor oral health can cause pain and infection and has been linked to wider health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

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If the person can brush their own teeth

Encourage and support them to:

• Brush teeth and gums for two minutes, last thing at night and at least one other time during the day.
• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing fluoride (around 1,350–1,500 ppm).
• Brush all surfaces of the teeth to remove plaque and food debris.
• Spit out after brushing but do not rinse with water – this helps the fluoride protect the teeth for longer.
• Use mouthwash only if needed, and at a different time from brushing.
• Keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes where possible.
• Visit a dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

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If the person cannot brush their own teeth

You may need to help clean their mouth. This does not always need to be done in the bathroom – a chair or bed may be more comfortable.

Before you start:

• Gather everything you need first.
• Explain what you are going to do.
• Make sure they are comfortable and agree on a signal to stop if they need a break.
• Look inside the mouth for sore areas, ulcers or sensitive teeth.

When brushing:

• Gently relax the lips and brush one tooth at a time.
• Clean all tooth surfaces and along the gumline.
• Brush the tongue gently.
• Take extra care if any teeth are loose.
• If the gums bleed, do not stop brushing – bleeding usually improves within a couple of weeks with good cleaning.
• Encourage spitting out after brushing. Do not rinse.

If you notice pain, swelling, sores or changes in the mouth, seek advice from a dental professional.

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If the person has dentures

If the person wears full or partial dentures:

• Remove dentures before cleaning.
• Check the mouth for red or sore areas – this may mean the dentures are rubbing.
• Brush any natural teeth with a normal toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean dentures every day to remove plaque and food.
• Use a separate toothbrush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner (not toothpaste).
• Clean dentures over water or a folded towel to prevent damage if dropped.
• Soak dentures daily, ideally overnight, using a denture cleaning product.
• Denture cleaning tablets are not for consumption. Keep them out of reach and ensure they are not swallowed or dissolved in drinking water.
• Encourage leaving dentures out overnight to rest the mouth.
• Make sure regular dental check-ups continue, even if the person has no natural teeth.

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Need extra support?

If the person you care for is in pain, has mouth problems, or cannot access a dental clinic, ask a dental professional about home or community dental services available in your area.

Good daily mouth care makes a real difference to comfort, dignity and quality of life.