Why a Dental Visit Soon After a Dementia-Related Diagnosis Can Be So Important
- Elder Love USA
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
A new diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another condition associated with dementia can bring a long list of medical appointments and decisions.
Dental care can easily get pushed down that list.
In many cases, however, an early dental visit can be helpful.
Here are some reasons why.
1.You can find out if the dental team understands their needs.
While any dentist can provide routine oral care, some dentists and dental practices have more experience caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other conditions that can affect communication, mobility, and cognition.
A dental visit can be a good opportunity to ask your current dentist whether they have experience working with people with the person’s condition and whether a referral to another dentist or clinic might be appropriate.
Starting this process early also gives you time to establish a relationship with the dental team.
The dentist can get to know the person, not just their teeth, and understand their particular needs, preferences, and routines. This can become especially valuable if their condition changes over time.
You can discuss things such as:
Whether shorter appointments might be helpful
How often you should visit
What time of day tends to work best
How the office can accommodate mobility issues
What to do if the person becomes anxious or resistant to dental care
Having these conversations before there is an urgent dental problem can make future visits easier for everyone.
If you are a Medi-Cal member, you can use this directory to search for Dental Providers who may be accepting new Medi-Cal patients: https://dental.dhcs.ca.gov/Members/Medi_Cal_Dental/Find_A_Dentist/DentalProviderDirectorySearch
2.You can Address dental problems while treatment is still easier
A dental visit can identify problems that may not be obvious yet, including cavities, gum disease, broken teeth, infections, or dentures that no longer fit properly.
Taking care of these issues while the person is still comfortable with dental visits may be easier than waiting until a problem becomes painful or urgent.
As dementia progresses, a person may have more difficulty understanding what is happening during a dental procedure, following instructions, remaining still, or communicating that something hurts.
An early dental examination gives the dentist and family an opportunity to determine what should be treated now, what can be monitored, and whether any concerns may become more challenging to address later.
3.You can ask about oral care
We're used to taking care of our own teeth. Caring for someone else's oral health can be very different.
As a person's abilities change, a caregiver may eventually need to take on more responsibility for brushing, flossing, denture care, or scheduling dental appointments.
An early dental visit gives caregivers a chance to ask questions and learn what will work best for the person.
Caregivers can ask:
What should we be doing at home to protect their teeth and gums?
How should dentures be cleaned and cared for?
What signs might indicate a dental problem if the person can't tell us that something hurts?
What changes or symptoms should prompt us to call you?
What's the best type of toothbrush to use?
A new diagnosis can bring a lot of changes for both the person and their caregiver. Dental care may not feel like the most urgent thing to address, but taking the time to see a dentist early can help you plan ahead.
This article was made by Elder Love USA.
As the only nonprofit agency in California offering home care services, we are dedicated to providing compassionate affordable in-home care.
All caregivers undergo thorough background checks and training with certification.
Our rates are lower than other providers thanks to partnerships, donations, grants, and revenue from our cleaning program.
Our caregivers can assist with personal care, shopping, cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and case management.
We proudly serve Riverside County, CA, San Diego County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, Orange County, CA, Imperial County, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
If you’d like to learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one, contact us today.
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