Table 4 Theme B and supporting quotations

B1

It’s not that I don’t want to go, but whom should I see? From what I have come across, it is only misery. (man, 93, full dentures, severely frail).

B2

When I take my dentures out, it feels freed. But I have to wear them, so… You think what could be done about it, I understand, but if I would have believed that a dentist could help me, I would have gone there a long time ago. But I know that it wouldn’t help. (woman,86, full dentures, slightly frail).

B3

I’ve got this feeling that my lower jaw is shrinking a lot. There’s hardly anything left there. But that’s a family thing, my mum had that too. (woman, 85, full dentures, moderately frail).

B4

They [dentures] have not been sitting well from the beginning. But I’ve always thought that it was because of this fungal infection, I had in my gullet. [..] That that infection has moved up to my mouth. […] Cause my mum had the same, her mouth was always sore. […] And her gums were sore too. And then she was rubbing like this. […] I have determined for myself that it really is that fungal infection. […]. And I won’t go to the dentist, because that is no use, they cannot fix it. (woman,86, full dentures, slightly frail).

B5

I don’t go anymore. He [a dentist] can’t do anything for me, can he? […] Last time I went was 10 years ago, and ever since I have not had any complaints, so why should I go? (woman, 85, dentate, moderately frail).

B6

Well I have tried to clean them [dentures] with a brush, but they weren’t that dirty, and they didn’t get that clean either […] well, no moss grows on them [dentures], what else should you care about? (man, 93, full dentures, severely frail).

Subtheme: Reduced importance of oral health and oral care

B7

I simply cannot brush my teeth properly anymore. […] But I don’t mind having to take dentures. […] My health is more important than my teeth now. (man, 80, severe Parkinson, severely frail).

B8

When you can’t do anything anymore, then you don’t wish to do anything anymore, then you can’t be bothered about anything. (woman, 85, severely frail).

B9

My teeth don’t interest me. Because I am depressed. […] I only rinse them [dentures] when something gets underneath, and that’s it. […] I don’t know if a dentist could help me, I don’t care. (woman, 73, moderately frail).

B10

I can’t get them 100% clean, not even with an electric toothbrush […] It is too hard to reach them […] I’ve tried, but it didn’t work, and now it doesn’t bother me anymore. […] I don’t mind losing my teeth. (man, 80, severely frail).

B11

I wouldn’t [see a dentist], not unless I would have serious toothache. Life won’t last that long anymore when you’re so old as I am. […] My teeth will keep, I think. (woman, 85, severely frail).

B12

I’m only bothered with having a fresh feel in my mouth now […] when you’ve kept your teeth this long like me, they will survive. (woman, 84, moderately frail).

B13

I would not go to the dentist [in order to replace bad teeth]. […]. If I cannot bite anymore I will eat porridge. (woman, 93, severely frail).

Subtheme: Conscious choice to preserve energy for other goals

B14

I don’t see a dentist anymore. I don’t feel like it. I rather preserve my energy for other things. […] But if I would have pain, I would go again. I wouldn’t go on with a painful mouth. (woman, 77, severe arthritis, severely frail).

B15

When I can achieve, with only a small effort, that my mouth remains fresh and a bit healthy, then I don’t mind doing it, but if it takes a big effort, then not, which is why I don’t see a dentist anymore. (woman, 93, severely frail).

B16

And in the past I would clean my dentures after a meal, but, and that is laziness, I openly admit it, I don’t do that anymore. […] After all it takes an effort, and I have to divide my energy sensibly. I could go walk back and forth to the bathroom, but I rather be knitting something, or do something else. (woman, 86, severely frail).

B17

I don’t wish to look for another dentist, because that requires a lot of you. When you get older and weaker […] you can’t work up the effort. I could do it when I was younger, but now, look I don’t cycle anymore. I am just slower […]. It really is not important enough. […] And now I need to look after my husband [ a Parkinson patient], and I have to save all my time and effort for that. (woman, 80, slightly frail).