How to Brush a Resident's Teeth | CNA Skills Exam with Nurse Eunice

Do you know how to properly brush a resident's teeth? Providing mouth care is an important CNA clinical skill that helps maintain oral hygiene, prevent infections, and promote resident comfort! Welcome to the CNA Clinical Skills Lab with Nurse Eunice! In today's lesson, we'll review how to assist a resident with brushing their teeth, important safety steps, common mistakes to avoid, and tips to help you prepare for your CNA skills exam. ✅ STEPS FOR BRUSHING A RESIDENT'S TEETH 1. Perform hand hygiene and gather your supplies. 2. Knock, introduce yourself, identify the resident, and explain the procedure. 3. Provide privacy and encourage the resident to participate as much as possible. 4. Position the resident upright or in the safest position allowed by the care plan. 5. Place a towel or clothing protector across the resident's chest. 6. Put on clean disposable gloves. 7. Gather the toothbrush, toothpaste, emesis basin, water, washcloth, and other needed supplies. 8. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush. 9. Gently brush the teeth using short, careful strokes. 10. Clean the front, back, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. 11. Gently brush along the gumline without causing injury. 12. Offer water for rinsing and the emesis basin if the resident can safely rinse and spit. 13. Wipe the resident's mouth with a clean washcloth. 14. Rinse, clean, and store the toothbrush according to facility procedures. 15. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene. 16. Make sure the resident is comfortable and the call light is within reach. 17. Document the care provided and report unusual findings to the nurse. 🚨 COMMON MOUTH CARE MISTAKES TO AVOID ❌ Forgetting to perform hand hygiene. ❌ Forgetting to wear gloves when providing mouth care. ❌ Laying the resident flat when an upright position is needed for safety. ❌ Brushing too hard and injuring the gums. ❌ Forgetting to clean the back teeth and chewing surfaces. ❌ Forcing a resident's mouth open. ❌ Providing water to rinse when the resident cannot safely swallow or spit. ❌ Using the same toothbrush or supplies for different residents. ❌ Forgetting to clean and store the equipment. ❌ Failing to report bleeding gums, sores, pain, or other unusual findings. 💡 NURSE EUNICE'S SKILLS LAB TIP Gentle care is good care! Mouth care is not about brushing harder. It's about brushing carefully, respecting the resident's comfort, and cleaning all accessible tooth surfaces. Remember to check the care plan before offering water or asking the resident to rinse. Residents with swallowing difficulties may need special mouth care precautions. Never force a resident to rinse, swallow, or open their mouth. 🩺 IMPORTANT CNA SAFETY REMINDERS ✅ Encourage independence whenever possible. ✅ Protect the resident's clothing and privacy. ✅ Use gentle brushing movements. ✅ Follow aspiration precautions when indicated. ✅ Observe the mouth, teeth, tongue, and gums. ✅ Report bleeding, swelling, sores, pain, or unusual changes. ✅ Follow your state's current CNA testing checklist. 🎓 READY TO PREPARE FOR YOUR CNA EXAM? 📚 ONLINE CNA EXAM PREP COURSE Study anytime, anywhere, at your own pace for only $29.99 per month! Cancel anytime. Your course includes: ✅ CNA exam practice questions and timed tests. ✅ CNA clinical skills demonstration videos. ✅ Downloadable CNA eBook by Nurse Eunice. ✅ Online student discussion forum. ✅ Certificate of course completion. ✅ New videos and practice tests added regularly. Enroll today: https://www.FLtraining.com 🏫 IN-PERSON CNA CLASSES Need hands-on CNA training? Florida Training Academy offers in-person CNA exam preparation in Jacksonville, Florida. Build your confidence, practice important nursing assistant skills, and prepare for your CNA exam with experienced healthcare educators. View upcoming classes: https://www.FLtraining.com 🛒 CNA SKILLS PRACTICE KIT Want to practice your CNA skills at home? Shop our recommended CNA training supplies, oral care products, practice equipment, and other learning materials through our Amazon storefront! https://www.amazon.com/shop/floridatrainingacademy 💙 KEEP LEARNING WITH NURSE EUNICE! This lesson is part of the CNA Clinical Skills Lab with Nurse Eunice, where we help future nursing assistants build confidence and prepare for their CNA exams! 👍 LIKE this video if it helped you. 📤 SHARE it with another CNA student. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Florida Training Academy for more CNA Clinical Skills Lab episodes! 💬 COMMENT: What is the most common mistake students make when providing mouth care? Keep studying, keep practicing, and believe in yourself! You've got this, future CNA! 💙💛 Eunice Mathis, MSN-Ed, RN Nurse Eunice | Florida Training Academy Empowering Caregivers. Changing Lives. https://www.FLtraining.com #CNASkills #MouthCare #OralHygiene #NurseEunice #EuniceMathis #CNAExamPrep