Her diet is horrible; she basically eats sweets/baked goods all the time. In the last few months three of her front teeth have broken off. I suspect that they are full of cavities and that’s why they’re breaking off.
She is willing to go to all of her other doctor appointments without too much reluctance, she’s scheduled for cataract surgery in March, she has congestive heart failure that requires her to have a cardiologist visit every 6 months, etc. But she refuses to go to the dentist.
I called her dentist, it’s been going on 3 years since her last visit, they are adamant about getting her in, but she won’t budge.
Is it vanity/embarrassment, or is it a sign of early dementia? I’m looking to change her primary care physician, as she never seems to discover any of the real problems when my mother visits.
My biggest fear is that her gums may become infected.
Is there a way to force someone to go to the dentist?
Thanks for any suggestions.
You're between a rock and a hard place, though, aren't you: the dentist won't do a home visit, your mother won't set foot inside his premises. I imagine the dentist's view is that he can't treat your mother adequately at home; while hers perhaps is that she would be entering a world of pain, fear and possibly shame. Was she ever good about going?
The only thing I can think of is asking her doctors - ideally the cardiologist but whichever she trusts most will do - to read her the Riot Act and get heavy about the additional serious risk she's running because of her frail health. If she gets abscesses she's going to be in big, big trouble.
Can you scare her into agreeing just to a check up, hold any treatment for now? - And make sure the dentist understands that he must on no account hurt or frighten her. Good luck!
Does your mom brush her teeth? I think my mom would only go to the dentist if her teeth hurt her, which they don't. So I feel your pain.