Dentures!

7 years ago at the age of 53 I plucked up the courage to visit the dentist after many years as one of my front teeth felt slightly loose and was causing me a lot of pain. I knew that rest of my teeth were in a pretty poor state and for years I've not felt comfortable smiling in photographs and avoiding eating toffee, nuts, hard rolls etc but could live with that. The dentist took a look at my teeth that day and told me, there's nothing that can be done to save them and you'll have to have a full set of dentures, he was brutal in his delivery and told me cause I was nervous I'd need to be sedated...I left his office in total shock, not only feeling totally not ready for dentures, by this time the toothache had disappeared of it's own accord so I never returned. Since then my teeth became worse, a couple fell out (luckily not in obvious places) they became looser, thankfully didn't get any more bouts of toothache but I muddled on the best I could. Early this July the literally took a turn for the worse over night and I knew..ok now's the time I'm gonna have to get this sorted. I went to the dentist but because I'd not been for 7 years they'd removed me from their patient list and of course I was NHS. They told me that they weren't taking on any NHS patients at the moment and the waiting list is 6mths to a year! I even offered to go private as I have savings and they told me there was also a long waiting list. The receptionist suggested that I look up to see if there are any surgeries taking on nhs patients and to ring them up . I did that and the first two I rang were recorded messages saying there's a 6 month waiting list but the third one someone answered the phone and could offer me an appointment the next month. I have a horrible 3 month + but to cut a long story short I've been fitted with what they call immediate dentures which allow you to have something to wear on the day of the extraction and for a few months before your mouth has settled to a state where you can be fitted with permanent dentures with a more bespoke fit. I had them done on Monday, early days, but I have to say I'm struggling. I mean don't get me wrong they look great, but they're unstable and I can't use adhesive for 2 weeks cause it upsets the healing process, and they rub quite a bit so I'm on liquid/soft diet and many painkillers. I just cannot wait to get them out of my mouth at night...and my god I look about 90 years old without them in...very depressing. Anyone here admit to dentures? If so how did you get on..thanks x

Oh yes I totally forgot to add...I was extremely lucky...I registered with the new practice as a private patient but as soon as the dentist saw me she said she'd do it on the NHS...so that's one good thing about this otherwise horrible situation!

I found they took a lot of getting used to, but know people who never had a problem from day one. I started off using a fixative, which was a help, but now manage without, though I still can't get on with wearing top and bottom set together, makes me want to gag, but fortunately, I still have front bottom teeth, so can manage with just the top set. If I was younger, I'd be sorely tempted to head for Turkey, and get implants, though I've heard some horror stories about them. Good luck anyway.

mhed said:

I found they took a lot of getting used to, but know people who never had a problem from day one. I started off using a fixative, which was a help, but now manage without, though I still can't get on with wearing top and bottom set together, makes me want to gag, but fortunately, I still have front bottom teeth, so can manage with just the top set. If I was younger, I'd be sorely tempted to head for Turkey, and get implants, though I've heard some horror stories about them. Good luck anyway.

Click to expand...

Funnily enough it was the gag reflex that's what scared me the most...I gagged my way through getting the impressions taken, but the actual dentures haven't actually caused that...ok a little bit when I'm trying to get them in...my problems is the pain caused by rubbing and the instability. I'm on holiday from work this week....I've told the boss there's no way I'm gonna be ready to return next week. My trouble is that I no have no teeth, so going without it public is not viable unless I wear a mask all day long. If these teeth were stable and painless then perhaps I'd be one of those people who'd be up and away from day one. Obviously it'll take away for the extraction sites to heal, and I'm getting a couple of ulcers due to rubbing. A close friend of mine had dentures, she is really uncomfortable talking about it. I know her top set are false but I don't know whether she's got bottom ones too...I suspect she does as they look perfect. All she kept saying to me was you'll be fine, they'll feel a bit funny for about 20 minutes and then you'll just get on with it....yeah right. She's a very private guarded person so I don't know whether she's talking bull or not. Got my follow up appointment in a couple of weeks though. Been told I can't use any kind of denture fixative for a couple of weeks so maybe they'll help. Heard they can be pretty unpleasant to use, but I know it's gonna be a long journey and I can only do what I can do. I am semi regretting having it done at the moment, though I had absolutely awful teeth at least I could function as a human being...at the moment I can't!

I wouldn't worry too much, you'll be better able to judge once your mouth has healed a bit more.
The mask bit made me smile, that was the only good thing about covid, I could go out and about with my teeth in my pocket, and wearing a mask!!

I was told it takes 6 months for your gums to totally heal after getting teeth out.

I am with the NHS, we are different in N.I and I believe Scotland with keeping a dentist. When yesterday for my check-up now, they only do it once a year instead of twice a year. I got an x-ray and then a clean, all okay. This time last year one of my crown broke and could not be fixed it was the side of my mouth and my dentist insisted on making me one little false tooth. I don't actually wear it as food can get between the roof of my mouth and the small plate part. The front part which looks like the tooth is perfect, you would not know it false.

I'm getting a range of emotions from positive to despair. Right now I'm thinking that I may've well bought some teeth from a joke shop for the good these are at the moment. I was told that it would take 6 months to be able to be fitted with permanent dentures but 'cause I still work, and my job is customer facing I didn't feel able to go toothless for so long hence agreeing to go for "immediates". From what I've been reading people have had far far worse problems than I've been having so far but the fact that they're only functional on the basis of how they look is obviously not ideal - I've got a life to live. After being in the doldrums for over three months I wasn't expecting it to be an instant fix and that I'd be straight back to my bouncy old self, though I did dare to dream a couple of times. I will have to tell my boss I'm gonna need a fair while off work as the tooth routine is not compatible with an 8 hour day at work. Having to eat like a baby, taking the teeth out to rinse them cause food is trapped on, in and under them, trying to get them in the right position where there's nowhere private to do this, the fact I sound like a ventriloquist's dummy when I try to speak. So ok I could go into work, toothless and masked up and try and find a corner where I can sup a meal replacement shake or a yoghurt and of course I'm feeling as miserable as sin right now and still suffering with a bit of pain, though funnily enough today I haven't felt the need to take any pain killers (yet). I do have a follow up appointment lined up in the next 2 weeks but I'm still waiting for comfirmation of the date..obvs things will be clearer after that. My main problem is with the lower set..the uppers are much better they seem to want to stay put, but the bottom ones feel like they're floating around despite pinching my gums and causing pain. If I try and eat with them in the movement from the lowers disturb the uppers so I'm in a proper pickle. Any liquid with the same consistency as water is fine, but anything thicker is a problem. Thankfully I can still swallow tablets ok. Of course even though I feel hungry my appetite is shot to bits and I cannot afford to lose any more weight I'm a size 8 as it is!
The other thing is I'm dreading catching a cold with this lot - Coughing and sneezing doesn't bear thinking about! I wish my friend could be more open with me, it seemed one minute she had protruding, crooked and discoloured teeth to having a set of perfect teeth and eating and talking and doing everything normally, yes she did have the work done during covid but even so a bit of insight would help...not just you'll be fine, it's nothing!

I’ll admit to it!

I tripped over in 2017 and, because I was carrying something, I had no time to put my hands out to “save” myself. I hit the road face first and the brunt was taken by the top of my mouth. Result? I put my top teeth through my bottom lip and the top front teeth were knocked backwards. I rang my dentist as I was in Yorkshire at the time, but due to leave that night, and he told me to go to his surgery the following day.

When he saw them he confirmed that they would have to come out. Two of them were still “squiffy” but not as bad as the other two so the really damaged ones were removed. I went back the following week for the other two to be extracted. I had a temporary plate after a few days because the four that I lost were already crowns which were on pins into the jaw which is why they bent rather than snapped off. My son did some shopping for me because I stayed in until I got the temporary plate. The dentist did say I could have false ones pinned into the gum again, but I opted for a plate after what happened to the others although I’m not planning to face plant a road again - hopefully. Once everything had healed I got the permanent plate and have never looked back. Initially I lisped for a couple of days but now you’d never know that I wear a plate. The colour is matched perfectly with my bottom teeth and the rest of the top ones. I’ve never had an issue with eating anything and they’ve never fallen out or dropped down when I talk. I did buy some fixadent but have never needed to use it. I remove the plate when I clean my teeth and I sleep in it. Teeth in a glass by the side of the bed doesn’t appeal to me.

Even though I’m now approaching a 4 stone weight loss since February, the plate is still as secure as it’s always been which surprised my friend because her sister’s plate got loose after a weight loss.

My dentist is private and the total bill was £2000 but I got some of that back because they put in a claim under their insurance.

It is early days for you merryone, so hopefully your mouth will soon heal completely and you’ll be in the same state as I am …… happy with your teeth.

This isn't intended to be a downer, and it's not me, but I have a friend: she's 91 (I'm 54 ). I've known her since she was in her mid to late 60's. We met because of a crowded bus, I had to sit next to her. But, as usual, I digress. At that time, she had teeth but they were in a very poor state, so over the time she had them out. She was given false teeth and could not get used to them, so she never wore them. Her gums hardened, so I suggested she wear them, or get a pair that suited her 'settled' mouth. (We can talk 'personal' to each other, so she wasn't offended). Turns out she's so used to not having any she manages quite well. Granted there are some foodstuffs, but still. Yes, I know a 90 year old is different to a 60 year old, but thought I'd join in

I suppose I could add my love of dentists for the record. I had a filling and at some point, it must have either degraded or fallen out, or been swallowed Over time it got worse until I had to admit defeat and go to the dentist. Between the two points of me noticing it and going to the dentist, was over 6 years.

Seriously if not wearing them didn't make your face look so bad, I wouldn't! and let's face it now us 50 plusses are all looking younger these days. I remember when my grandmothers were alive and they were in their 50s and 60's and they looked like old women, obvs this is from the perspective of a child but even looking back on photographs as an adult - it's true they did! So I shall persevere - I have to. Obvs these temporaries are the first port of call so there'll be adjustments made up until I can get permanent ones that are a suitable fit. Today I shall probably keep them out most of the day but when son visits later I'm putting them in that's for sure!

I might for a while have to live a sort of hybrid teeth in/teeth out existence, but the main worry is going back to work. I do 8 hour days which involve not only early starts but meal breaks and it's a customer facing role as I work in a shop, there are no other jobs I could do behind the scenes as they do not exist, well apart from warehouse operative which is not really suitable for a 60 year old woman, not being sexist but reality bites - It isn't! I would need to get up earlier for work than normal which is hard enough as it is in order to get some food inside me and to get the teeth in..then come breaks, I get in a mess with something simple like yoghurt, I then have to remove the teeth to wash them. The only solution I can see is to go to work toothless and try and find a private spot to drink a power shake or eat a yoghurt. I know I CAN'T give up...but I do think I'm gonna need at least another 2 weeks away from work

I really feel for you, my Mum had a full set of dentures in her 40s, so for a very long time. I think the key for her was to keep them in all the time, even overnight, so her mouth got used to them. I don't remember her having a temporary set though, so I don't know if she took them out during at night during the healing process but I never ever saw her without her dentures in.
I will have to decide soon what to do about my upper teeth as a fall caused trauma to a couple and as the ones that should be removed are next to two bridges covering previous extractions it would be a fair sized plate. I have seen a specialist for implants but I'm not sure I am ready to have all of my upper teeth removed as he suggested. However he told me that if I needed heart surgery I would have to have many removed as there are infections at the root. I am also still working full time with much younger colleagues and I worry about eating in front of them and the changed look of my teeth and also the time off to recover.
I wish you well with the healing process and then the dentures settle in. The implant specialist told me it would be at least a week on painkillers so I hope you will feel a lot better next week. Please let us know how you are getting on and I hope others will be able to give you advice from their experiences.

I still see the odd person wearing a mask, could you not do that for a couple of weeks?

Once you've healed properly you can sort yourself out. There's not just dentists, most places have dental repair technicians that can repair and make dentures.

My dentist advised me to keep the plate in because, as your mouth heals, a plate can become loose or too tight. This is particularly important with the permanent one. Keep persevering with it, merryone.

Mommabear said:

I still see the odd person wearing a mask, could you not do that for a couple of weeks?

Once you've healed properly you can sort yourself out. There's not just dentists, most places have dental repair technicians that can repair and make dentures.

Click to expand...

I shall probably have to yes, but I just want to get these first couple of weeks done before I have the confidence to go back to work...I know the longer I put it off the harder it will become but I do have to put my wellbeing first. Soreness and instability are my problems at the moment and I'm praying, well at least the soreness will improve. Stability won't come until I get the ok to use dental adhesives or I've had adjustments made to the bottom set. For the time being I'm just relieved that I can actually stand having them in my mouth without gagging, that was my biggest fear. Like I say I'm regretting having it done at the moment, but when I think about it had I chickened out I'd still be as depressed as hell knowing that it still needed to be done, I'd still look and feel like $hit and of course I'd be forever wondering and beating myself up. Of course the longer I left it then the more complicated the surgery would've become I guess.

Toril said:

My dentist advised me to keep the plate in because, as your mouth heals, a plate can become loose or too tight. This is particularly important with the permanent one. Keep persevering with it, merryone.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm not wearing them right now as I have visitors this afternoon and I want to make sure I have plenty to eat before they arrive so I'm not having to faff around trying to eat so slowly then taking them out, cleaning them and putting them back in. I can't even eat a simple yoghurt or thick shake with them in without them filling up with gunk. When I eat a yoghurt lets say, it's all over my lips, all over the front of my teeth and all underneath the plates and gums, so have to be washed out immediately, and it's horrible and certainly not something I'd want to do in the company of others. My speech is also a problem and I'm sure it wouldn't be if the bottom set wasn't so unstable. When I open my mouth to form words they slip, hence having to talk like a ventriloquists dummy. I know there's worse in the world but I wouldn't wish this on anybody

merryone said:

I shall probably have to yes, but I just want to get these first couple of weeks done before I have the confidence to go back to work...I know the longer I put it off the harder it will become but I do have to put my wellbeing first. Soreness and instability are my problems at the moment and I'm praying, well at least the soreness will improve. Stability won't come until I get the ok to use dental adhesives or I've had adjustments made to the bottom set. For the time being I'm just relieved that I can actually stand having them in my mouth without gagging, that was my biggest fear. Like I say I'm regretting having it done at the moment, but when I think about it had I chickened out I'd still be as depressed as hell knowing that it still needed to be done, I'd still look and feel like $hit and of course I'd be forever wondering and beating myself up. Of course the longer I left it then the more complicated the surgery would've become I guess.

Click to expand...

You'll be OK, patience is the key

Merryone did you ask about Implants? I know they are more expensive but they are Permanent?
I know you are talking about going back to work but if you are feeling stressed/upset take some time off until you are feeling mentally stronger (if you are able to). This has been a shock for you and your mental health is important.
As Mommabear mentions put a mask on if you need to I see people wearing them all the time.
I bet there are different grades of dentures. Ask for the best quality/most real looking ones (you may have to pay a bit more I don't know)
I have Bridges and always worry about my teeth so I feel for you. I look after my teeth and religiously go to the dentist. It amazes me how people with healthy teeth go to Turkey and get their real teeth drilled down and fake teeth put in.
Good luck and big hugs. In a few months time you will be feeling so much better and have a stunning smile Xxxx

miss molly said:

Merryone did you ask about Implants? I know they are more expensive but they are Permanent?
I know you are talking about going back to work but if you are feeling stressed/upset take some time off until you are feeling mentally stronger (if you are able to). This has been a shock for you and your mental health is important.
As Mommabear mentions put a mask on if you need to I see people wearing them all the time.
I bet there are different grades of dentures. Ask for the best quality/most real looking ones (you may have to pay a bit more I don't know)
I have Bridges and always worry about my teeth so I feel for you. I look after my teeth and religiously go to the dentist. It amazes me how people with healthy teeth go to Turkey and get their real teeth drilled down and fake teeth put in.
Good luck and big hugs. In a few months time you will be feeling so much better and have a stunning smile Xxxx

Click to expand...

I'm not sure I'd have enough bone for implants...I mean I may have but they wouldn't be able to consider that for another good few months - probably 6. I could spare a few grand within reason, but only if I really cannot get on with dentures. I get the feeling I should get on with dentures with a stable/painless set, but there's a long way to go yet. The dentures I've got look good, but right now that's the only good thing I can say about them. Anyway thanks for the good wishes. I've put them in for now as I know that if I get too used to not wearing them it'll cause problems later down the line. Since I've had them done I haven't really left the house, only to take the bins out. I know I need to take steps to get myself out- Weather's awful so it's not gonna be today but I think even a brief stroll will be a step in the right direction

merryone said:

Seriously if not wearing them didn't make your face look so bad, I wouldn't! and let's face it now us 50 plusses are all looking younger these days. I remember when my grandmothers were alive and they were in their 50s and 60's and they looked like old women, obvs this is from the perspective of a child but even looking back on photographs as an adult - it's true they did! So I shall persevere - I have to. Obvs these temporaries are the first port of call so there'll be adjustments made up until I can get permanent ones that are a suitable fit. Today I shall probably keep them out most of the day but when son visits later I'm putting them in that's for sure!

Click to expand...

My aunt, born in 1961, when young (yes this is related) had a car accident where she went through the windscreen. Because of that she had teeth that were permanently loose, so one day she decided she'd have ALL of them out. Not one real tooth in her head and you wouldn't know it if you didn't know it.