Loved one’s dental health

[HyacinffBookay]

Hi, would like some advice please on how to go about telling a loved one that they really need to go see a dentist or dental hygienist without upsetting them. It’s surprising actually as they dress well, are very clean and hygienic otherwise but have some unsightly build up on their teeth. There’s no decay as far as I can glimpse but unpleasant breath most of the time.

When I’ve mentioned it before and recommended an electric brush rather than a manual, as I don’t think manual cleans well enough, they seem embarrassed and say their gums bleed if they use electric or use floss. They seem to not want to go to the dentist when I’ve mentioned it and keep putting it off but I’m not aware of them having a fear of the dentist. Probably scared what the dentist might say about their dental health? How can I say something without them becoming defensive or embarrassed?

@HyacinffBookay is it a family member, partner?

Sounds like gum disease. The bleeding is a symptom of it, it’s not ‘normal’ for your gums to bleed when they’re cleaned. There are emerging links between gum disease and heart issues, diabetes, Alzheimer’s etc so definitely worth the difficult conversation! If it carries on they will lose teeth. Also very unpleasant to be face to face with someone with terrible breath - people will be avoiding them because of it, almost certainly.

Can they afford the dentist? You would be surprised at how many people can't or consider other bills a priority.

I would be saying to them
"what my dentist told me is that if my gums bleed I need to brush more or my teeth will fall out as my gums weaken more".

If you can get to the bottom of it I would. As a pp said there are links to disease. It's best to get to the dentist asap. Especially if they are scared. The longer they wait the more damage and cost their will be.