Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs
Add Your Dentist To Your Speed Dial
Joe Lawrence
Along with having your family, your closest friends and your primary care physician on your phone's speed dial, you may also want to include your dentist. There are many reasons why keeping your dentist's number right with you and easily accessible can be a great idea. Here are some instances when you may want to get in touch with your dentist right away:
You knock a tooth out – If you knock a tooth out you will know one thing for sure and that is that you need to act fast. It is possible that the tooth can be put back in and saved, but you'll need to know exactly what to do that will increase your chances of saving it, so you don't accidentally do the wrong thing. For example, you may think it would make sense to plop the tooth in a plastic water bottle full of water that you have on hand to keep it clean and moist until you get to the dentist. However, your dentist may tell you that this is exactly what you shouldn't do. When you have your dentist on speed dial, you can immediately call the office and ask how to best proceed. Plus, you'll be able to let them know that you are coming in to be seen for the issue.
You chip a tooth – If you chip your tooth and it's a pretty good chip, then you'll want to call your dentist to get in right away. Luckily, you have their number right with you and can call them with the simple click of a button. Make sure you find out how important it is to find that piece that chipped off, so you know how hard you should be looking for it. The dentist may suggest you find it, or let you know to just come on in without it. However, getting the tooth repaired quickly will be important.
You have a special occasion just come up at the last minute – If you have just learned that you have a special occasion to attend at the last minute, such as a public speaking event, then you want to know your teeth are looking as great as possible. You'll want to get in right away to have your teeth cleaned and to see if the dentist feels they can whiten them with the short amount of time you have. Since the event is quickly approaching, you need to get a call into your dentist asap, so you know they can fit you in. Luckily, you have them on speed dial, so contacting them fast isn't an issue.
Contact a clinic, like Cross Creek Family Dental, for more help.
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Caring for an elderly parent tends to be tough enough without the added stress of dealing with dental implants or dentures. But, the prospect is not the end of the world—there are many things you can do to ensure that your parent's dental health is not compromised without having to spend a lot of personal time doing the care yourself. Between working with the right dentist, hiring a service provider for part time work, and giving your parent the tools he or she needs to care for his or her own dental health at home, you'll find that dental health for your loved one isn't so tough or time consuming after all. Hopefully you are able to get the support and information you need right here.