Arthritis is a pain in many ways. For your teeth, arthritis can make brushing and flossing difficult. I have included a few helpful hints for Brushing Teeth with Arthritis:
- Try an electric toothbrush. They tend to have larger handles that can make gripping the electric toothbrush easier. With an electric toothbrush, you can simply rest the bristles beside each tooth and let the motion of the electric brush do the work of cleaning.
- If you do not like electric toothbrushes, you can enlarge the handle of a regular toothbrush by slipping your toothbrush into a bicyle handle, or a rubber ball.
- For flossing, try the flossers that come with handles. Or, simply use a Waterpik.
If you find that your brushing techniques are diminished by age, arthritis, or other conditions, I would recommend using a prescription strength fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is known to decrease the risk of cavities.
I invite you to schedule an appointment with me at Cannon Family Dental to discuss your current oral conditions, your risk for dental disease, and techniques to maximize your health. Call us at 801-292-3501.