Today my husband saw the dentist for
exam and cleaning. It was definitely a
good cleaning that was done. When we
got home I gave him lunch and he seemed okay but than he was in the bathroom with an upset stomach. My
husband has Alzheimer's and I'm thinking the visit to the dentist upset him. Possibly the sounds from the tools
they use to remove plaque and debris
from the teeth. I don't know if I should
continue to put him through that. I look
after him at home and make sure he
always brushes his teeth everyday.
I would love your thoughts on the matter.
I am pretty with it, but admit to white coat phobia so bad that the site of any dentist of doctor can set me rocking in my chair, lips trembling. I am being spot on honest and perfectly direct here.
Mind you, no one has hurt me; everyone has been kind and just swell to me. And yet, every since a big bout with cancer 35 years ago a mere dental or physical checkup has me sweating out hours of dying 1,000 deaths. I call it PTSD and partner giggles at me. It makes no sense. I take deep breaths.
So pretty much you do what you just did.
While he can cooperate he gets his dental care to prevent gum disease and sepsis.
He will get over it.
I haven't died of trembling lips or too much rocking yet.
The mouth is a huge breeding ground for germs. There is some research suggesting that poor dental health can lead to heart disease. Poor dental health will lead to tooth decay which is painful. Removal of teeth is not the solution as the jawbone may change its structure. My Mom's infected tooth caused her to not be able to open her mouth very wide and a mild case of blood poisoning. She never complained about the pain because the pain from arthritis was worse than the pain in her mouth.
At some point, you may need to take care of his teeth (brushing, flossing, etc.) When that happens, if you are fastidious, he won't have to visit the dentist that often. However, there is some point, where a person can no longer adequately brush their own teeth. It isn't only that the food is on or between teeth, my experience is that the food gets stuck between the gum and the soft tissue of the mouth and the food needs to be removed from there also (they don't feel the food there). My Mom had a tooth that just fell out, hence food used to sit in that crevice left by the tooth.
Think of the dentist as being a person that specializes in your mouth, not just a cleaner of teeth.
How did he act while in the chair? Was he calm while letting the hygienist do his cleaning, or did he seem agitated and upset?
The answers to those questions will let you know whether to continue to bring him in for his cleanings or not.
If he was cooperative and calm, then continue to bring him, but if he wasn't and seemed agitated, then I wouldn't put him through them any more.
Someone with a broken brain deserves to be kept calm at all costs.
forgotten that he even went. By tomorrow I know for sure he won't
remember. Sometimes its a good thing
if they don't remember what they were
upset for to begin with.
My dad had been in assisted living for 6 months, so is no longer near his old dentist. His teeth are generally ok. He asked about going for a cleaning. I left it up to him, whether even go in. He said he will think about it. We are not worrying too much if he doesnt go.
appointments. He was diagnosed with
Alzheimer's about 6 years ago.