My Mom's dentures no longer fit well and are loose in her mouth. She has stopped eating her mechanically ground food in the nursing home for about a month now. We were kind of figuring she is just declining, but now I am wondering if she stopped eating because of her ill fitting dentures?
We would have to go thru Medicaid, but I am worried they will not be of quality in both material and fit. I've heard of other elderly folks having trouble with new dental work by Medicaid.
Anyone with personal experience regarding Medicaid dentures for their elder loved one will be appreciated.
BTW, what has she been eating for the past month?
they provide at lunch. Not too much. She has lost about 40 lbs the past
few months.
If you start the ball rolling on new dentures, the worst that can happen is that the process proves too difficult for her and she doesn't end up getting them, or the new dentures aren't any better in which case no one will force her to wear them. But whatever happens, she can't be any worse off than she is now in terms of dental comfort; so I should give it a try and just see how it goes.
But I agree with CW that 40lbs really is a heck of a weight loss, and if your mother had been using her denture without trouble for her modified diet before then I'd be looking for other potential causes for her stopping eating. It is a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation, because weight loss and lack of use will cause her gum to alter just that tiny bit, which will make her denture fit less well, which will make her not want to wear it... But if everything was fine and then she seemed to lose interest in her food, there would be other things to check too. Right down to a change of chef, possibly.
How is she apart from her appetite issues?
Perhaps even baby food, squash ( they sell it frozen) mashed potatoes with carrots and peas swirled in a blender. A high quality protein drink can provide protein.
Also puddings or custards have milk and eggs and can provide nutrition despite the sugar.
Poorly fitting dentures can be very painful.
Alas, because of her bone loss issue new ones will not make a difference, as the honest dentist stated.
I am sorry you two are dealing with this. Humans are such fragile creatures
Sending hugs your way,