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When the caregivers of many first-time patients call us, we often find that they have waited longer than they should have to contact us. When a patient is home bound due to physical and cognitive disabilities, it makes it hard for them to visit a dentist for routine cleanings and exams.
Reasons Why Caregivers Wait to Call the Dentist
A common problem we see is that the patient isn’t in pain, so the caregiver doesn’t even know there is an issue. As we age, the nerves in our teeth thin, and this makes it harder to feel pain. Some patients may try to hide their pain by chewing on the opposite side. When the caregiver doesn’t know there is damage happening, the problem goes undetected and untreated. This can cause a small problem to turn into a big issue.
Another reason why caregivers may not get dental care for their loved one is that they are uncooperative. They may be unaware that there are people like us who specialize in in-home care for geriatric patients who may also have dementia.
Sometimes, the biggest reason caregivers hesitate to call the dentist is fear. If you are worried about getting bad news, you really should reach out to us. A dental infection that isn’t addressed can go from being treatable to causing severe illness or death. It’s always a good idea to contact a dentist if you think your loved one is experiencing an issue, pain or no pain.
