The Clean Bite: When Life Takes You Beyond Dentistry

Welcome back to The Clean Bite.
Today, I’m stepping away from my usual dental-world chatter and sharing something deeply personal—my other full-time job.

A New Role I Never Studied For

In January of 2022, I stepped into a role I never expected: full‑time caregiver for my mom, who is living with Alzheimers.

I’ve spent my entire adult life as a dental assistant—teeth are my comfort zone. Infection control? Procedures? Instruments? I’ve got it.

But Alzheimers care?
Well… that’s been a whole new world. I’ve been stumbling, learning, Googling, panicking, laughing, crying, and somehow still standing. And I know many of you reading this understand that journey all too well.

The CDC reports that more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with dementia, and nearly 1 in 3 do so for over 4 years.I’ve been going it alone and was one of those caregivers who didn’t even know resources to help even existed until 6 months ago. Who knew??? (That’s a blog for another day!)

Personal Care for Both of Us

The first thing I feel is so important are my personal immunizations.Some of you may know that, in addition to writing this column, I am a dental assistant training developer and speaker.

At the end of February, I presented classes at one of the largest dental meetings, the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. There were thousands of dental professionals attending, and it was just like old-home week, with all the hugs and handshakes with new friends.I was exposed to all kinds of cooties during this adventure, not to mention the trip it took for this Florida girl to get to Chicago.

One of the things I did for not only myself but for Mom was to get immunizations for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19.

Now, I know many of you don’t think these are necessary, but this is just a small part I do to protect Mom. She is a germ magnet and tends to catch everything that comes our way.

A New Kind of Infection Control

My biggest challenge?
Not aerosols. Not surface disinfectants. Not Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance.

Human infection control.

Mom is entering Stage 7 of Alzheimers disease—the beginning of losing speech. Stage 6 brought full incontinence. With that comes a daily battle against urinary tract infections (UTIs), rashes, dehydration, and all the things the brochures don’t prepare you for.

UTIs, especially when combined with dehydration, are a major cause of decline in Alzheimer’s patients. And many can’t articulate pain or discomfort.
In Mom’s case, the only warning sign is… well… a smell you don’t forget.

Caregiver Tip #1: Ignore the Label

Incontinence products may say “8 hours of protection,” but if you’ve ever touched the inside, you know that’s wishful thinking.

Just like a baby, sitting in wetness leads to rash—and rash leads to infection. Changing often is one of the simplest yet most important ways we can protect them.

Caregiver Tip #2: Clean Every. Single. Time.

Wipes or a warm wet cloth helps remove bacteria that stick to the skin and can migrate to the urethra.

Mom now struggles with stool incontinence as well, which means E. coli loves to sneak its way into the situation. And no, jumping in the shower is not an option when your loved one is terrified of the shower, which can lead to slips and falls.

Confession time:
Yes, sometimes I skipped gloves.
When you’re doing this 20 times a day, grabbing gloves feels like one more mountain to scale. But then…

Our Clostridioides difficile Scare

After 2 rounds of antibiotics for her fifth UTI in a year, we had a C difficile scare—a word I didn’t even know before this journey.

For my dental friends, here’s the quick version:

C difficile is a bacterium that causes severe, contagious diarrhea.

For my dental readers,

C difficile is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and nausea, typically after antibiotic use disrupts normal gut flora. Treatment involves specific antibiotics, but recurrence occurs in about 1 in 6 cases. C difficile also causes highly contagious diarrhea; caregivers should use soap and water to eliminate spores.

It is important to remember that alcohol-based sanitizer is ineffective on C difficile. To prevent transmission, strict hygiene practices, surface cleaning with bleach, and glove use are essential. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Alcohol sanitizer won’t kill it.
Soap, water, bleach, gloves, and grit will.

Now? The gloves stay on. No exceptions.

So, for My Fellow Caregivers—Here’s What Helps

1. Hand Hygiene

• Wash with soap and water after touching the patient, their surroundings, or changing linens, as alcohol sanitizer does not kill C difficile spores.
• Get under fingernails (bacteria love hiding here).

2. Clean With Bleach

• C difficile laughs at your regular cleaner.
• Bleach is the only thing that wipes the smile off its face.
• Use cleaners containing bleach to disinfect surfaces, particularly bathrooms, doorknobs, and high-touch areas.
• I keep a spray bottle full of diluted bleach in the bathroom for this purpose.

3. Wear Gloves (and gowns if necessary)

• For soiled laundry, linens, or bathroom care.
• Thankfully, home personal protective equipment (PPE) can go in the regular trash.

4. Laundry Strategy

• Hot water or as hot as possible for fabrics affected
• Use a baking soda vinegar combination to help with odors.
• Bleach when you can.
• And yes, washing their items separately is a good call.

A Final Word From My Heart

Caregiving is messy. It’s exhausting. It’s intimate in ways no one prepares you for.
But it’s also sacred.

Every difficult moment, every load of laundry, every midnight bathroom cleanup, every infection we fight off—it’s all an act of love.

I’m learning as I go, just like you.
Some days I feel strong. Other days I feel like I’m barely holding it together.

But here’s the beautiful truth:
Being a caregiver isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence.

And if you’re reading this and nodding along, just know…
You’re doing better than you think.
You’re not alone.
And your love—however imperfect it feels—is making more difference than you’ll ever see.

We may not have chosen this journey, but we can choose to walk it with grace, humor, humanity, and fierce compassion. Keep giving yourself the same care you give everyone else.

Until next time, my friends—
Stay informed. Stay clean. Stay safe.

🦷✨ — Sherrie, The Clean Bite