If your parent has dementia and wears false teeth, then one of the most common problems you'll come across is dealing with lost dentures. For example, your parent may take their teeth out in their day care centre or nursing home, say when they have a meal, and then forget to pick them up and put them back in again. Someone else may pick up your parent's dentures by accident and even start to wear them. Even if you can track down all the dentures that have got mixed up, you may not be able to easily work out which denture belongs to your parent. You can't rely on your parent to identify their teeth, but you can take some measures to help spot them more easily.
Take Photos
It's often hard to identify your parent's dentures when they aren't in place – dentures often all look the same. It may help to take some photos of the dentures, focusing on areas that may look a little different. For example, if your parent's teeth have an area of wear or a specific bump in the plate, then take photos of these areas as well as of the teeth generally. You can use the photos to help you find your parent's teeth in an identity parade if you need to; if your parent lives in a nursing home, then giving photos to staff to keep in the office may also help.
Use a Temporary Mark
You can put a mark on your parent's teeth, so they can be identified more easily. Don't be tempted to scratch a name or initials on the plate or teeth – this could put rough spots on the dentures which could hurt the mouth. The easiest way to mark dentures is to use an indelible pen to put your parent's initials on each denture plate and then to seal the initials with a tiny brush of clear nail varnish, making sure that the varnish coat is as flat and smooth as possible.
Get Help From a Dentist
Inedible ink and varnish won't last forever. For a permanent fix, ask your parent's dentist to etch your parent's initials or name on the dental plates next time your parent has a check-up. Dentists have the tools and experience to do this without damaging false teeth and without leaving rough areas that might make the dentures sore to wear. If your parent isn't due to see a dentist for a few months or if you are having problems getting your parent to see their dentist at the moment, then it's worth calling the dentist's office to see if you can take the dentures in yourself to be marked.
Tip: If your parent has new dentures made in the future, ask their dentist to request a name/initials to be etched into the new teeth when they are being made.
Share9 July 2018
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
