Chewable Gummy Aims to Simplify Oral Hygiene for Dementia Patients
A new peppermint-flavored gummy vitamin is designed to help individuals with dementia maintain dental health without the need for traditional toothbrushing.
A novel chewable vitamin gummy, named Dentablue, has been developed to assist individuals with dementia in maintaining their oral hygiene without the use of a toothbrush. The product was created by Molly Baldini, a former NHS dementia service manager in Hertfordshire, who observed the significant distress and time commitment involved in oral care for those living with dementia and their caregivers.
Dementia can complicate routine grooming tasks like brushing teeth or hair, as the brain may struggle with multi-step processes, recognizing common tools, or coordinating movements. "I saw it was causing so much distress for carers trying to brush a person with dementia’s teeth that it got pushed aside for other priorities like nutrition and hydration, and carers were left feeling they hadn’t quite done their job," Baldini stated. "People with dementia were going without oral care and I was angry there was no alternative – I felt I had to create something."
Developed with support from the Alzheimer’s Society's innovation program, Dentablue is scheduled for launch at the end of the month. The peppermint-flavored gummy can be chewed and swallowed quickly, and can be taken twice daily. It contains vitamins C and D to support healthy teeth and gums and is sugar-free.
The product will be available for £16.99 per month for a pack of 28, sold through the company's website and the Alzheimer's Society's online shop.
Natasha Howard Murray, innovation program manager at the Alzheimer’s Society, commented on the innovation: "Dentablue is a great example of how practical innovations can help tackle some of the everyday challenges of dementia. It can take around 15 minutes to support someone living with dementia to brush their teeth – a level of support that can be really difficult given staffing pressures. For some with dementia, tooth brushing and mouthwash can sometimes become confusing, uncomfortable or distressing. Dentablue offers another option and can help people maintain good oral health while reducing distress, as well as easing pressure on carers, freeing up time for other aspects of care."