Should I still take my dad with Alzheimer's to the dentist for regular checkups?
A fellow caregiver asked...
My dad is 87 yrs. old with Alzheimer. He never removes or cleans his upper and lower dentures.Should I still take him to the dentist for regular checkups?
Expert Answer
Ladislav Volicer, M.D., Ph.D., is recognized as an international expert on advanced dementia care. He is a courtesy full professor at the School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, and visiting professor at the Third Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Twenty-five years ago, he established one of the first dementia special care units.
Not cleaning his dentures may allow overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in your father's mouth that would increase his risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. Dentist might check for possible presence of mouth cancer.
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