Formal to Senior
Care · Daily · Support
お口のお手入れの時間ですね。お水で口をすすいでいただけますか？ — It's time for mouth care. Could you rinse your mouth with some water? (Care · Daily · Support, Formal to Senior, JLPT N3)
You
お口のお手入れの時間ですね。お水で口をすすいでいただけますか？
おくちのおていれのじかんですね。おみずでくちをすすいでいただけますか？
It's time for mouth care. Could you rinse your mouth with some water?
Romaji: Okuchi no oteire no jikan desu ne. Omizu de kuchi o susuide itadakemasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, wakarimashita.
Reply
はい、わかりました。
はい、わかりました。
Yes, I understand.
Gesture & etiquette
Approach with toothbrush or sponge swab visible — no surprises. Stand or sit at face level, slightly to the side (not directly in front, which can feel confrontational). Speak in a calm, normal volume. Have a small towel ready under the chin. If they're seated, ensure they're upright at 90 degrees to prevent aspiration.
Oral care for seniors is essential — neglect leads to aspiration pneumonia, a leading cause of death in elderly populations. 'Okuchi no oteire' (mouth care) is softer than 'koukuu-kea' (clinical term). Frame it as a routine moment rather than a medical procedure. Always offer water at room temperature and check that they can swallow safely before any rinse.