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The infected tooth needs to be addressed but only with careful oversight from his main doc. I do not believe the dentist will treat the infection without first removing the tooth as it may reinfect.

Two things:

1) by friend's elderly dad was on blood thinner and went to have a tooth pulled. His doc knew and his dentist knew and he then had a stroke. This is the danger.

2) Be careful of what antibiotics the dentist gives you. My mom had a course after a root canal and she developed a reaction to it that cause a great deal of swelling in her feet and legs. I can't remember the name of the drug...starts with a "c" I think...clindamycin? But not sure.

Does you husband know he won't be able to enjoy a large assortment of foods anymore? This may tip the scales in his decision. Good luck you dear, sweet trooper!
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cherokeegrrl54 Aug 2019
The clindamycin, which I received when I had dental surgery, made me very sick....terrible stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea......there are more side effects but those are the ones I experienced.....Wasn’t pleasant.....
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If he’s happy at home and so are you due to the difficulties re mobility and continence - then I’d leave it be. As long as infections are treated - as you say - heart and teeth health are closely interrelated. But you might be able to get antibiotics prescribed by your doctor next time rather than try and get him to the dentist. If antibiotics don’t work he may need an extraction.

Have you made it clear to all the specialists how difficult it is to go there especially if he has an incontinence accident etc? It might be easier for a nurse to visit to test and send results back. Or they might decide it makes sense to treat the retina rather than monitor given your circumstances.

There are home visiting podiatrists who could attend rather than you struggle to take him to them at 80.

i sometimes wonder at the crazy set up for care we have that does not truly take into account all contributory factors.
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I am 63 and just dealt with an infection after root canal. It was nearly a month ago and I still have a lump under my jaw and numbness with my mouth. It took several types of antibiotics and had to go numerous times for draining. At one point the side of my face was very swollen. I would not hesitate if there is an active infection. Once it gets into the bone life is miserable.
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TaylorUK Aug 2019
Did they remove the root canal work? If not it is not surprising you have had so much problem. Sounds very unpleasant. US dentists are usually v good especially compared with the dire ones we have in UK but to clear infection needed to remove the work, give the antibiotics and start again.
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Wait, the dentist did not prescribe an antibiotic or anything to clear up the infection?

That is a huge red flag for me and I would recommend seeing a different dentist.

My dad had to have all of his uppers removed and my dentist said because he is on coumadin and elderly the safest route would be an oral surgeon, the procedure took like 45 minutes from waiting room to walking out the door.

If your husband understands, I think he should be allowed to decide what will be done to his body.

I would address that infection though. Maybe he can gargle with colloidal silver and heal it up without antibiotics. I would try that 1st, I would not trust the dentist if he didn't address that infection, period. That is criminal in my opinion, oral infections are extremely dangerous.
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Dad is 90, his teeth started to break off at the gum line 5-6 years ago. I should clarify, that is when his front teeth started to break off, I do not know when the back ones started to break.

Dad does not have dementia.

After much pushing, he agreed to go to the dentist. He had 3 abscesses and at that time had those three teeth pulled as well as some of the broken roots. Dad has a heart condition and there is a link between dental infections and heart problems.

It was a painful procedure over a few appointments. He probably should have the rest of his teeth pulled, as more have broken off since he last went to the dentist. If they break below the gum line the odds of infection are higher. But Dad refuses to go back. He eats softer food, hamburger, not steak, cannot eat fresh leafy greens anymore. He is not at all interested in dentures, nor does he care how he looks with his broken teeth and missing teeth.
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I certainly would not go with the teeth extraction. Soon to fall out? What the heck does that mean? If there is an infection, with a suspected abscess, then that does need treating; but to be honest I think I'd ask another dentist. One with a more curator-like approach, ideally.

With the eye - how long has it been in its current condition? And if it *were* to deteriorate, what would be the signs and what would the specialist then do?

I'm not one to be over cynical, and in spite of everything I do still have faith in licensed healthcare practitioners to put their patients' best interests first - no, really, I do, mainly, on balance - but apart from the fee what has been the aim of reviewing this retinal tear every four months?
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anonymous933878 Aug 2019
country mouse, he also sees eye doctor (a different one) for his
glaucoma  once every 4 months.  Also his Hemotologist ( ITP ) every month. his endrocronologist..(Diabetis and thyroid, and cholesterol ) every 4 months, his podiatrist every 2 months....etc. He also has poor control of his bowel movements. We were out today and he lost it. What a mess cleaning him up. You can't imagine. I just want him to stay at home at this pont. It's exasperating for both of us. Mainly ME ! Does that answer your question ??  one more thing, I check his insulin level every day and also I do the INR testing every 2 weeks. I am 80 years old !
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As to the eye. I had a vitreous separation with scarring that makes one of my eyes quite worthless. I do well with one eye. This can be addressed but only 50% chance of better vision and they suggest it NOT be addressed unless I were to lose vision in the other eye. I am 77.
As to the teeth. Many people do well with just gumming food, and unfortunately some parts of our country are almost without affordable dental care; that said the INFECTED tooth must be addressed, because the infection could go systemic.
I think you are playing the odds at some point. I wonder about going all out with many visits, much pain, with dentures at this point, so might let him make that decision, as well as the decision about his eye. However, the infected tooth? That's gotta go. IMHO.
You are really going the extra yards to try to figure out what is best for HIM, and so good of you to do so. Good luck. Give us an update when you have time.
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