[Dysphagia] stimulating mouth opening

[dysphagiadude at mailcan.com (dysphagiadude at mailcan.com)]

An adolescent patient in the nursing home where I work is on a feeding
tube following an episode of status epilepticus that left him severely
obtunded.  I'd like to help contribute to his mouth care, but he won't
open his mouth except to yawn occasionally.  He does not follow verbal
directions; doesn't seem to be aware of himself or his surroundings.
There doesn't seem to be any trismus; he opens fine for yawning.  He
might have a tonic bite; he bit down on a toothette that was used to
clean out his buccal cavities once and we had a long wait until he
released it.

Can anyone suggest any techniques for stimulating mouth opening, or
otherwise improving his oral hygiene?
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