Took my 82 year old husband took Dentist yesterday. He is wheelchair bound and with great difficulty and help, we were able to get him in the chair. After many x rays, the Dr. told him (us) he would have to have most of his teeth extracted because they were soon to fall out. One of them was possibly infected. He could only suggest Dentures which would require many visits and some pain. He would also have to consult his doctor because of the Coumadin he's taking ...... so he would have to be off it a couple of days. It appeared to be a long procedure. Now, my husband has a mild dementia but he understood everything. He wants to wait and make a decision later. I know, he will NEVER decide to go this route. What do I do as a caring and loving wife? Do I insist he go (because this could be dangerous for him because of that mild infection which could worsen) or do I let him make up his own mind?? He also has a tear in his Retina (eye) and has refused to see his retina specialist every 4 months. So far, everything remains the same with the eye. But it could worsen. He is tired of so many doctors and he sees how difficult it is for me to take him to all these appts. Should I insist he sees these doctors or should I just leave him to make his own decisions? He is a happy guy when he's just left alone. I hate to "upset the wagon" What to do???
as far the infection goes he may be thinking let that be. My Step Mother at 89 fell and broke her hip. She declined surgery. After surgery there was going to be 16 months of rehab and learning to walk again. She said no thanks. about 10 days later the infection took her. She was happy to go. She had lived a long happy life. She hated being a growing burden to her children.
Modern medicine keeps us alive FAR longer than we would with out it. At some point modern medicine just becomes worse than the letting nature take its course.
It has been a horrible experience and I do not have any of the issues your husband has.
The oral surgeon does not give general anesthesia for extractions to any patients older than 65 for starters. I had to be in “twilight sleep” which was ok while it worked but scary when it wore off before he was done.
I was without teeth for two months and even so my mouth was still swollen when they took molds so my dentures are very loose.
I have to repaste my dentures sometimes four times in a day. If I don’t, they will shift when I eat and that hurts like heck! Removing the glue from my mouth is what I spend most of my time doing these days.
They are recommending I have implants to anchor the teeth down. That will be at my own expense. No insurance will help out and it’s another surgery.
In the meantime, I have lost 60% of my taste and 80% of my chewing capacity.
Does this sound like something you care to go through with your husband right now? Not to mention how terribly painful the extractions were to start with.
Just sayin....
charlotte
Has anyone spoken to you about a liner for your dentures? I think that it is a semi permanent solution that works very well. It was one of the things that my dentist covered when explaining how the whole process worked. Fortunately my dad didn't need to have anything done, his dentures fit so well that he doesn't even use glue.
Best luck.
Theres no way to go but forward, so I will do that.
Re infection. Raw garlic will take care of the 'mild infection'. Crush up 3 cloves of garlic...leave in the air on a Tblspn for approx 10mins. Then have him put it on tongue & swallow it down with plenty of water a few mins before a healthy meal.
Do this 2 times daily 6 days a week. Rest one day. Repeat
Loose Teeth. Pyrohea
White Oak Bark Powder (buy on amazon or eBay). Make 2 Tblspns into a thick paste with warm DISTILLED water. Have him pack it between the gums & lips all around the mouth before bed each night. He will look as if he has a mouthful of mud. However it is very soothing....a powerful astringent, and has a form of calcium that the body can readily absorb
The same as above 6 night...rest 1...repeat. You Will have wonderful results..And his gums will tighten & his teeth be just fine.
Vit C Power: Emergency C is a good brand. 2 packets (2000mg) daily will help rebuild the connective tissues of the gums
Water: Distilled is the Only pure water. I suggest you drink & cook with this from now on.
Best Regards to you.
charlotte
Duh, on me for finally understanding that she didn’t want to eat because her teeth hurt. We really are not mind readers are we?
So weird, too, how we struggled because she wouldn’t eat, especially if I cooked it up special. We already throw too much food away.
Then it happened to me: always in pain and only eating soft foods. Eating is one of our biggest pleasures, it’s a shame when we can’t enjoy it.
Charlotte