[Dysphagia] RE: Dry Mouth

[Tricia.Clark at cootharinga.org.au (Tricia Clark)]

 Hello Marie

Thank you for your insight into this area.  I feel that further
investigation is required re: biting on toothbrush, as it doesn't appear
to be reflex (given that she does not bite down on other things in her
mouth, when tested).

Thank you for the advise re: bite-blocks as I had not thought to use
these.

Trish


Tricia Clark
Speech Pathologist
Cootharinga Society of North Queensland
Ph: 07 4759 2018
Fax: 07 4779 9443
Email: Tricia.Clark@cootharinga.org.au
Web: www.cootharinga.org.au

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-----Original Message-----
From: Marie Isbell [mailto:Marie.Isbell@state.tn.us] 
Sent: Wednesday, 15 June 2005 12:35 AM
To: dysphagia@b9.com; Tricia Clark
Subject: [Dysphagia] RE: Dry Mouth

You might want to consider other reasons than behavior for the biting. 
Having something touch the surface of the teeth or the gums may trigger
a tonic bite reflex, something not under her control.  Soft dental bite
blocks could be used on alternating sides of her mouth to assist with
keeping her mouth open while her teeth are being brushed.  If it is
truly "behavior", I'd question why this behavior is necessary?  Does
toothbrushing hurt?  does she dislike the toothbrush?  toothpaste?  does
she have tooth pain?  does she feel like her airway is being
compromised?  are staff too rough?  I work with this population also,
and we write detailed staff instructions and provide competency-based
training to all staff on those instructions.  And being dependent on
others for oral hygiene, accompanied by severe dysphagia, increases her
risk of developing pneumonia when she aspirates her secretions,
especially if her immune system is compromised in anyway.

Marie M. Isbell, MA, CCC-SLP
West TN Regional PNM Team
West TN Regional Office
8383 Wolf Lake Drive
Bartlett, TN 38133
(901) 213-1847
Fax: (901) 372-3460
Marie.Isbell@state.tn.us

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Thank you.

>>> "Tricia Clark" <Tricia.Clark@cootharinga.org.au> 6/13/2005 9:19:40
PM >>>
Thank you to everyone who provided wonderful suggestions with regard to
my question concerning dry mouth. 

Sorry I didn't originally provide much information regarding this
client.  My client has severe dysphagia and is unable to control
secretions.  She has Cerebral Palsy, is wheelchair bound and is unable
to propel herself.

I feel that her oral hygiene may be reduced.  She is dependent for all
oral hygiene matters, and has had a few teeth removed due to decay.
Staff have informed me that brushing her teeth is difficult due to
behaviours causing her to bite hard whenever her toothbrush is in her
mouth.

Thanks once again for all the suggestions, anything further would be
greatly appreciated.

Trish

Tricia Clark
Speech Pathologist
Cootharinga Society of North Queensland
Ph: 07 4759 2018
Fax: 07 4779 9443
Email: Tricia.Clark@cootharinga.org.au
Web: www.cootharinga.org.au 

==================================================
NOTE:
 
This e-mail may contain privileged and/or confidential information,
which is the copyright of the Cootharinga Society of North Queensland
and is intended only for the use of the addressee. If you received this
e-mail in error or you are not the addressee, or the person responsible
for delivering it to the person addressed, you may not use, copy,
disseminate, forward, print or deliver this to anyone else. Rather, you
should permanently delete this message and its attachments immediately
and kindly notify the sender by reply email or by telephone to the
number provided above. Any content of this message and its attachments
which does not relate to the official business of the Cootharinga
Society of North Queensland must be taken not to have been sent or
endorsed by the Cootharinga Society of North Queensland. No warranty is
made that the e-mail and/or attachment(s) are free from computer virus
or other defect. Thank you.
==================================================
 



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