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Summary from my sibling: "A tooth has fallen out which isn't such a big issue but a couple other teeth if I recall correctly are cracked or broken and whatever else the dentist said she recommended that [X] see an oral surgeon." X is minimally mobile, increasingly has delusions, is frail. Thank you.

I would get more details. How broken? How cracked? Is it causing pain? Any sign of infection? Can you get a dentist to come to the patient? My mom has had a dentist that comes to her care home for treatments.
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Reply to JustAnon
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If there is no pain or infection I say no, especially if it is going to involve anesthesia. That worsens dementia most of the time and there is a risk of dying while under anesthesia. Another thing you mention is frailty. How about the trip to and from the office and getting into the dentist chair? There are risks involved there as well.

Lealonnie mentioned a mobile dentist and that's a great idea if there's one around.
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Reply to SamTheManager
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I wouldn’t be going overboard taking him to the oral surgeon , if he’s not in pain .

A UTI , or pneumonia is very often what kills many frail elderly with dementia at this advanced level , more so than teeth issues . You are at the point of just keeping him comfortable as far as his teeth are concerned , IMO.
He may not get an infection from his teeth. My mother had broken teeth for years , refused the dentist , never had pain or infection .
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Reply to waytomisery
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If the problem becomes painful, a mobile dentist can come to the patient.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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Get your sibling to give you more detail about the cracked or broken teeth. Cracked or broken teeth can lead to Septicemia, and any infection that close to the brain can kill even a healthy adult. Anyone with Septicemia needs to be seen by a doctor, ASAP.
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Reply to Jhalldenton
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lealonnie1 Apr 1, 2026
A cracked tooth can lead to infection (abscess) from bacteria getting in wayyyyyyyy before it leads to sepsis which is a very, very rare occurrence. An abscess is intolerable and the elder will loudly let everyone know of her pain so the matter can be taken care of, mobility issue or not.
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Based on the fact that your LO "is minimally mobile, increasingly has delusions, is frail" I also vote no.

My Mom will be 97 in May and she recently had a molar break down to the gum, then had that and another bad tooth extracted BUT she doesn't have the issues your LO has. And she didn't get any anesthesia, just novacaine.

The presence of pain is the filter that will guide the decision.
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Reply to Geaton777
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One of the difficult things being a caregiver is deciding what is "important",
The guide line I used when caring for my Husband was deciding if he was in pain.
Getting my Husband to the dentist was a task.
The fact that my Husband was not compliant, could not follow directions
the fact that ANY dental work would have had to be done using anesthesia that may have made the dementia worse.
Since he was not in pain
I could still brush his teeth
Gums were not red, no swollen areas
He was still eating (pureed food or very soft but that was due to potential aspiration not a dental problem)
Based on all that I decided to forego dental work.

I have said that when caring for my Husband I was ruled by 2 major organs
My Head
My Heart.
I only hoped that when I had to make a decision the right organ would rule.
Let your head guide you on this decision.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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i would do the minimum to keep his teeth and mouth healthy and nothing beyond that. The goal should be to minimize the risk of infections. Any surgery or anesthesia is way too risky IMHO
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Reply to firsttimer1
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My father is also 97 1/2, has dementia and is bed-ridden now. No, I would not have my father seen by an oral surgeon if he is not in pain.
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Reply to Hothouseflower
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If the 97 year old is in pain from the broken teeth, then yes you should take them to the oral surgeon. No one should have to suffer in pain at any age if it can be helped.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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Rosered6 Apr 1, 2026
Thank you. So far, no pain.
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No.
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Reply to PeggySue2020
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