Follow
Share

My mom lost almost all her teeth during Covid. She is 95, confined to a wheelchair and has probably 8 teeth left.
I don’t know if we could even get her into a dental surgeons chair but if we did she would need to have the rest of her teeth pulled and the get fitted for dentures.
She is so embarrassed about her current semi-toothless smile (poor Mom).
I worry that she could wind up in a worse place if she is toothless and finds dentures uncomfortable. Kinda between a rock and a hard place. Advice?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
I don’t have direct experience with this, but can’t imagine putting someone her age with dementia through pulling teeth and a denture fitting. Has a dentist evaluated her for other, simpler options?
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Hi MaryPA, I agree with Daughterof1930 and can’t imagine this at 95 years old. Last week my Mom’s bottom denture slipped out of my hand and onto the floor. It broke in two pieces. Luckily the dentist was able to repair it. If not, we would not have pursued a new bottom plate. Dentures are difficult to adjust to. I would have adjusted Mom’s diet instead, Good luck with your Mom.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
MaryPA Apr 2021
thanks. I think I'm going to let it go for now even though her doctor thinks she would handle it fine. It seems like a lot and the nurses all think it would be crazy. Sometimes nurses know more because they are the boots on the ground,.
(4)
Report
I'm with SweetStuff on this. At 95, adjust mom's diet. Cosmetic issues? At 95? vs teeth pulling? What does mom think...
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I’d say forget the dentures, concentrate on the smile. You can smile quite well with lips closed. Practice yourself with a hand mirror, then practice with mother till it comes naturally.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I can't imagine a lady of 95yo going through a painful dental procedure like getting teeth pulled. It seems like it would be traumatic for her. I'm not clear if there is dementia present because it sounds like your mom is quite cognizant of her appearance.

People can develop the ability to eat without teeth quite well: both my father and grandmother preferred going without dentures most of the time. I'm concerned about the impact of the pulling and how long it would take to for your mom to heal though after getting teeth pulled at her age. I would get input from her doctors and any specialists before going forward.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I'm wondering how she lost all her teeth in a year...
Helpful Answer (0)
Report
jacobsonbob Apr 2021
I can't answer for the OP, but my mother lost a lot of teeth simply because she was unable to brush them, and the facility was inconsistent in providing appropriate mouthwashes. Therefore, decay set in.
(0)
Report
See 2 more replies
It's traumatic to get teeth pulled out, first of all, especially lower teeth b/c the lower jaw bone is much stronger & thicker than the top.

Getting used to a top denture is VERY difficult; it takes 6 weeks of a LOT of pain and constant visits to the dentist so he can file down the plastic on the denture (where it rubs on the gums) for a better fit. Where it rubs, it creates sores that are killer. So it's very very hard to eat anything but pudding and yogurt for 6 weeks.

If she needs both and upper and a lower denture, that's like a true nightmare b/c the bottom denture moves around a lot.

Even the top denture never fits quite right. So it's a constant battle to find the right amount of denture cream that will work to keep the damn thing in place. Too little and it falls out. Too much and it's seeping down the back of your throat and making a mess. Powder doesn't create enough of a cushion. Powder AND cream is best, most of the time, but not for everyone.

Needless to say, dentures are a true nightmare to get used to for an average person, never mind a 95 y/o woman who may have cognizance issues, who may lose them, break them, and God knows what else. Just the trips to the dentist's office for fittings ALONE would be enough of a reason to nix the entire idea. My mother only has a few teeth left in her mouth, and she is VERY vain at 94, but there is no way we're doing ANY unnecessary dental work in her mouth these days. The last fiasco was the mobile dentist coming into her Memory Care to do a 'surgical extraction' of a WISDOM TOOTH (I kid you not) and it cost $1000 after it was all said & done! Just today she again told me how she lost a 'little tiny baby tooth' while she was eating, meaning she lost a PIECE of the remaining molar in her mouth, and I said 'gee that's unfortunate mom.' Until & unless she's in pain and complaining, I will not be calling the mobile dentist back again.

Leave your mom alone with her 8 teeth and encourage her to get used to eating soft foods, that's my recommendation. I wouldn't wish a denture on my worst enemy!

Good luck!
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
MaryPA Apr 2021
Thanks. When I spoke with the denture person and her doctor they both seemed to think she would be fine but I am not convinced and don't want to send her down a rabbit hole that we can't climb back out of.

Gosh, this is hard!
(2)
Report
See 1 more reply
I had 1 tooth pulled for an implant and it was painful afterwards, plus I had to be on antibiotics and stay on a special soft, bland diet until it healed. I can't imagine having 8 teeth pulled and also the risk of infection. As well, your mom would have to have enough bone mass in order to even be able to have dentures. Have you actually asked a dentist if they'd even be willing to do this on a person your mom's age, and possibly with dementia? Maybe start there.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

Keep in mind, if your mom has dementia, she may become obsessed with her dentures at some point.

My dad pulls his teeth out throughout the day approximately 50 times. And... he can never figure out how to put them back in... so we put them back in... 2 minutes later.. they are back out... rinse... repeat
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
disgustedtoo Apr 2021
My mother was the same way with her hearing aid. The one she moved in with finally went through the laundry. She was already forgetting that she wore one (for MANY years, due to otosclerosis,) When I would visit, I would check to see she was wearing it, then search her room. She even said I don't wear one, but when I produced it, she'd ask where did I find that.

By the time I could arrange for new hearing aid (no response from previous provider, had to locate another), she was in that habit of taking it out all the time. Kinda like a toddler, when there's something "new" to inspect. She also had a bad habit of wrapping it in a tissue or a napkin, so most likely the first one that went MIA in about 2 months was tossed. They refused to help with the replacement cost (only $400, they came with a loss warranty.) So, from then on, any time she took it out, they would take it away. Result was most of the time she wasn't wearing it, which defeats the purpose! I had already decided not to replace it if they lost the second one (she only wore one, both were fitted for the same ear.) She was about 95-6 when this happened, with start of noticeable dementia at about age 90-1.

A hearing aid is much more useful than dentures, since diet can be modified. Certainly there can be vanity involved (some question that - it DOES matter to some!), but given age, dementia and other issues, along with the pain and necessary treatment post extraction, I would say skip it. My mother never had dentures, but lealonnie1's detailed comment would be a clincher for me!
(1)
Report
Is she living with you at home? Or is she in a facility?
oral care is SUPPOSED to be done daily in a facility and hopefully it is done daily at home. Oral care after extracting the teeth she has, open wounds in the mouth will be difficult and painful.
Will she be bothered by the wounds. Will she try picking at her mouth?
She will probably have to have a general or possibly twilight anesthesia and it may take her months to recover from that.

All these factors was a driving force behind my decision to not have dental work done for my husband. Not to mention I could not get my Husband to be compliant with the dentist.
*is your mom actually embarrassed or is she picking up on your feelings?
and another side note if you add up all the posts and comments about dentures that get lost, tossed out, misplaced, stolen both at home and in facilities I wonder if dentures are worth the trouble. As well as properly putting them in and caring for them daily. And they have to be put in daily so they continue to fit correctly
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Dad is 92, after his stroke 6 years ago his teeth started to break and crumble. It took 3 years to convince him to to go a dentist, when he did he had several mild abscesses. He had about 6 of the broken teeth removed, but he refused to go back for more extractions. So his teeth continue to break.

He would not consider dentures. I have not seen him in person since October 2019, but I imagine he has lost more teeth since then. He eats softer foods, canned meat, frozen veggies and soups. Bananas, not apples and oranges, he can still manage pears.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Ask a dentist to visit your mother and advise her on what's possible.

If the existing teeth are sound, they might not have to go. I see partial dentures of all sorts.

It may be that there really isn't any such species in your state as a dentist who does outreach, home assessments, community or home-based appointments - but if you haven't checked, do check. There are some services we never knew existed until we couldn't go out, and our county's peripatetic dental service was one of the best.

Start with your mother's own dentist, though, and ask. If they don't do this perhaps they'll know who does.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

My mom was in assisted living. She was 85, slight dementia. I was managing her and dads care from out of state. The facility sent her to a nearby dental clinic who wanted to pull her remaining teeth and have her fitted for dentures. There was no infection or problem at the time other than a couple jagged edges on broken teeth.

I was able to get her in with her old dentist in a nearby town. He was with her for 10 minutes, ground off a couple edges. Done. He was horrified that this dental mill wanted to put her through oral surgery and dentures.

Mom died a few months later. I’m so glad I didn’t let them put her through that process. She would have spent the last month of her life in misery.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

My dad is 94. He has worn top and bottom partials for years but his top won't stay in anymore because there are not enough teeth to hold it in place. 2 different dentists have told him they need to pull his remaining teeth and fit him for a full set of dentures which he doesn't want. He just wants his teeth fixed enough to hold in his plate which they have told him they can't do. He has over 15 teeth. I'm not sure he would survive the recovery. I had one tooth pulled a few years ago. I can't imagine going through what he needs to do. He is not in pain so for now, we do nothing.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I had an uncle who was a tough old bird. He was just wanting to eat steak again, so he had implants put in at age 93. He could afford it, as they are incredibly expensive. He did get to eat his steak. Not a solution for everyone, but it can be done. Maybe your mom wouldn't need every single tooth implanted...just a few "strategic" ones? Just a thought. FYI if your mom's on Medicaid, you may find it difficult to even find a dentist to work on her. Many don't even accept Medicare. I'm not on Medicare yet but my dentist won't even look at you unless you have dental insurance.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
jacobsonbob Apr 2021
Will your dentist accept private pay?
(0)
Report
See 2 more replies
My 81 yo hubby has a full upper plate since about 1985. With his medical issues these past 3 years, his bottom teeth started to fall out. I found a geriatric dentist who looked at him and determined his remaining 10 bottom teeth needed to be extracted and a full lower denture made.
He had the extractions with no problems, and wore a "healing " lower denture for 9 months. He was able to eat meat, chicken, bacon, ribs, without issue. He now has his new top and bottom dentures and is happy with them. The only issue is he gets confused about when to put them in and when to take them out. But since he's confused about night and day anyway, its no big deal.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
disgustedtoo Apr 2021
It sounds simple when you describe this, however he was long used to having a denture and is a bit younger than OP's mother. Given what others have said along with OP's profile giving her mother's condition, I wouldn't recommend dentures or tooth extractions (only if there's infection/absolute necessity.)
(2)
Report
I would definitely take her to a dentist to find out why she lost so many teeth. Something is up and may be a serious infection or other problem. May have been a long term problem building up due to lack of dental care. Should be checked out to get any problem (other than missing teeth) addressed.

Even at 95, she can benefit from dentures if she doesn't have other issues that would prevent her from sitting in the chair or having dental work done. When you take her for the check up to find out why all the teeth fell out, both of you can discuss with the dentist. A good dentist should be able to fit her well with dentures, but dentist is best person to evaluate.

By the way, my mom is 97 and still has all of her own teeth! Dentists still find that remarkable. Her mom still had all her own teeth at 102! They both always took good care and went to dentists regularly. All my siblings are the same - lots of dental visits over the years.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

My mother will be 89 in June. I finaly got to spend time with her last week after a year of virtually no contact. Her dementia is exponentially worse. She told me she graduated high school 2 weeks ago. About 1 month ago the NH called to say she had a toothache. Her teeth have been crumbling and falling out for several years due to chain smoking, soda and eating sugar nonstop. My sister in law is a nurse who had the same problem with a relative several years ago. She took her relative to a Dentist who was a long time friend. His response was it would be very painful to remove all her teeth and at her age/dementia dentures were probably never going to fit without pain and she would probably not wear them anyway. He suggested to just make sure she didn't have pain or infections and to leave the teeth she had left alone.
I couldn't take my mother to a dentist. She is dual incontinent and taking her anywhere would cause confusion. I found a mobile dentist! Great...not. her Delta dental doesn't cover mobile dentist. I was told most dental insurance doesn't. I asked them to check her tooth and if needed antibiotics asap. She had 3 abscess. They came back with a *Dental plan* to remove all of her teeth and fit her for dentures for 15,000.
I said no, remove the abscessed teeth and make sure she had antibiotics and anything she may need for pain. She could never have implants because her bone is like swiss cheese.
I can't imagine putting an elderly person through the pain and then months of waiting for their mouth to heal before having dentures fitted ☹
Hopefully my story helps you with your decision what ever that may be. I feel for you. This caregiving stuff isn't for sissy's. Xo
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
disgustedtoo Apr 2021
We be gladly fitting your mother for dentures for a hamburger today... plus $15k! Seriously? I would have rather dealt with the inconvenience and confusion than let this dentist touch my mother!

Even going to an unfamiliar dentist can be detrimental. MANY years ago, while at their place in FL for the winter, mom went to some dentist down there. No idea what the issue was or why she didn't question anything or get another opinion (she did NOT have dementia back then and usually didn't jump to get things done that were recommended!) They pulled at least FOUR teeth. She often talked about getting implants or something, but never followed through. By the time dementia was starting, she hadn't seen anyone in a while, so I took her to my dentist for a cleaning and exam, right down the road from where she lived then. Between hearing and early dementia, they kept coming to me to ask questions (I was getting work done at the same time.) Turns out she had cavity under one crown - they have to remove the crown, fix the tooth and make a new crown. She couldn't quite get it. Funny thing is when the bill came she was horrified! Never mind that she insisted they just poked around and didn't clean her teeth - I know they did, she would just forget. Her extra insurance provided a very small amount for dental, so in her thinking she's paying a lot of money for nothing! Next time I told the hygienist to take pictures. She tells me I did plenty poking around, she'll know. Nope. The door to the office wasn't even closed when she announced they did nothing!
(3)
Report
If your mom can tolerate a dental soft diet, don't bother with her teeth - unless they are infected or severe cavities.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Ricky6 Apr 2021
I agree with Taarna. Dentures are difficult to get used to and will mostly need another fitting after the first one because the gums will recede and shrink. They are also expensive and get lost all the time in a nursing home. My mom needed to have all of teeth extracted and she ended up only wearing the top denture, and eventually gave up on that too.
(3)
Report
My mother never had dentures, nor do I, but I can only imagine what a pain they are to maintain. Never mind the pre-denture work, that she may not tolerate well. Having to ensure they are cleaned every night, put back in and KEPT in during the day, along with the chances of losing them (common with dementia), I would really hesitate to put her through the work needed before and after dentures.

Were she younger and without dementia, sure. But at 95 with dementia? My mother's thing was hearing aid. The one she moved in with finally went through the laundry (over time she would put it in less often, even forgetting she wore one, even though she'd relied on them for over 40 years!) After that, she would be taking it out, wrapping it in tissue or napkin, as she used to do, and finally one went AWOL, likely tossed with trash at meal time. The remaining one (both fit to one ear, she only wore one) they kept taking away from her when she'd take it out. This resulted in it being out more than in, if in at all! Since we were locked out, I couldn't check to see if she was wearing it. Great to keep it safe, but it is USELESS if she isn't wearing it!

Seriously, given what others have described (there are some positive ones), esp lealonnie1's comment, I would have to recommend skipping the extractions and dentures. I DO know that vanity can remain, even with dementia. There was a woman in mom's place that dressed like she was going to a fancy place, every day! It's what she was used to, so she continued. Many of the ladies still had their hair "done." So, there can be self awareness, and I feel bad for your mother, since she can still understand she has lost all those teeth and is reluctant to smile. If she didn't have dementia, I'd remind her how cute babies are when they first smile and laugh, all toothless!
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
BurntCaregiver Apr 2021
Some people have a hard time with dentures because they aren't made correctly for them.
I know many people with full upper and lower dentures that are delighted with them. When they're made properly and fit properly there isn't problems.
It's a terrible experience for a person to have teeth problems or lose them altogether. Eating is no longer a pleasure or even possible many times, for people with such a condition. Everyone deserves to be able to chew food regardless of their age. That should be a human right.
My father at the age of 87 had all his crowns redone because he needed to. Sure that's pretty old and most people that age usually don't bother. At that age he was still bowling perfect 300 score and golfing a full course a couple times a week.
(2)
Report
If your mom at 95 is still mentally with it enough to be embarrassed by her teeth missing then take her to the dentist to get dentures.
If she's still competent to make that choice herself then she should be allowed to. Bring her for a consultation with the dentist and explain what the process will be for getting her dentures.
It's about quality of life. Why should your mom have to live the rest of her life eating mush and soft foods because she can't chew anything else? Even if she only gets one day of use out of her dentures at her age, it will be a very good day indeed.
If mom is still competent and can make this decision, then it's her right to make it.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

As a retired dental hygienist with over 30 years in the field, I would say no.
My dad wore upper and lower dentures since he was in his 30’s with no issues. Then when he lost some weight they didn’t fit as well. This was when he was 97. Like a dummy I held out hope that he would tolerate new ones. But no!! He would not wear them because they hurt and it basically changed his bite enough that he couldn’t get used to them. So he went back to his old ones. Fast forward 2 years, he lost his lower at LTC when they threw it away with his dining tray. And then his upper became very loose from continued weight loss. By then he was 98. So we took him to a specialist to get the upper relined for a better fit. Dad had dementia and was an awful patient! Then once he got back to the NH he ripped out the temporary reline and ruined all that work. After that my sister and I said NO MORE dentures or dental visits.
I can’t speak for how your mom will tolerate it but she is awfully old to try to get used to dentures. It takes many visits for adjustments to get them to where that don’t rub sore spots and for the patient to eventually toughen up the gum tissues like a callous. With dementia, She will have it even harder. Quite likely she will refuse to wear them. They are expensive and I would hate for you to have $3000 bookends like we had with my dad's new dentures.
The dentist who said it would not be an issue has likely never dealt with someone with dementia and the aftermath as well as the stress this will place on you.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
Geaton777 Apr 2021
That's how my 90+ aunt in MC lost hers: she rolled them up in her napkin after dinner and they got thrown away with everything else on her tray.
(2)
Report
See 1 more reply
Your mother deserves to feel good about herself and be able to eat a healthful diet no matter her age. I would at least consult with a dental practice that specializes in dentures to see what they can do for her. If done properly, dentures do not need to hurt. They may need a few adjustments to correct certain spots, but after that, her life could improve so much. Please consider this for her. Yes, she is old, but she is still alive and wanting to look nice and eat good food. This type of dentistry has come a long way in perfecting dentures. I hope for the best for your mom.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Imho, if your mom is still mentally "with it," e.g. embarrassed about her smile, then perhaps you should give her a chance at seeing what a dentist could do for her.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I am 70+ and my husband 76+ and we both have dentures that we seldom wear. I even have 2 studs for implants in the lower area. My teeth were beautiful and straight without dental work to get them there until my late 30's. Then suddenly they began to turn to powder and pieces broke off constantly. By the age of 60, I had to have them all removed. The culprit...seizure meds. I am on my 3rd set of dentures and they fit great when I first got them about 6 yrs ago but suddenly, they no longer fit and rubbed blisters constantly in my mouth. I went in every few days for adjustments that didn't work. The same happened to my husband at a different dental office. We finally decided we could eat without them. And we do. He puts his in for anything with nuts in it or for jerky or if we are going out to eat. I just skip the nuts and eat just about anything without them, even steaks and jerky.

Don't put your mom thru the pain of removing them. I had dry socket and I rated it right up there with child birth. Also some of the stitches came loose and I thought I was going to choke to death when they hung in my throat one night.

It might be possible to get a bridge if some of the teeth are in the right place to hold it.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Maybe your mom could try a dental flipper? It's a removable set of teeth often used by beauty pageant contestants for that sparkling smile. It just might be the boost your mom needs to feel good about herself when she's in the supermarket, at a family gathering, etc.

My 87-year-old mother with dementia was scammed into financing $30,000 for dental implants. Money she didn't have. (Beware: a "good credit report" can mean your parent paid the minimum on their credits cards all their life. They don't check income!!) Scammers know that the elderly often have bad teeth and they target them. Grr. Special spot in hell.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

My 99 yr old MIL is in the middle of a tooth implant.  I kid you not!  It's not even a front tooth, it is a side tooth.  It is not impeding her eating or speaking, it's just a gap... a missing tooth and she won't have it!  She still drives and lives alone and manages all of her own affairs including a cell phone and a computer.  She will more than likely be one of those who lives to be 105 and I guess she wants to be able to smile without a missing tooth. LOL

How "with it" is your mom?  Do you think she would be able to handle dentures or a flipper of sorts?  I have heard people complain constantly about dentures and how they rub or hurt and have to be adjusted constantly.  My grandmother said that they even changed the taste of food for her.  Can you have an in depth conversation about all of these things with mom?  If not, maybe you should just leave it be...?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter