How is your dentition?

[Ross]

Just wondering how many of us have poor teeth.

 

[fyrfytr]

What Teeth!

What Teeth!

They told me my heart condition is what caused all my teeth problems. I had to have them all pulled but the front bottom 8 when I was 21. What was so bad was my Cardio would only let them pull 2 once a month. That was all worse than my OHS.

 

[Susan BAV]

Dental problems can be huge problems and those with good teeth often don't realize what a hassle--and worse--bad teeth can be.

Example: When my mother was in her mid to late teens, she woke up one morning with her face completely swollen up from a previously unrecognized severe dental infection. The dentist promptly pulled nearly all of her teeth. That must have been extremely traumatizing for a young girl. She's been dealing with denture$ and fighting against losing the remainder of her teeth her entire life.

[Edit - My cardiologist told me that taking the best care of my teeth and gums was something I could do to help my valve last as long as possible--or words to that effect.]

 

[Ross]

Well they say us folks with heart problems all have poor dentition. Janie is the only one that I know that isn't having major issues with hers.

 

[azpam]

my teeth are ok. I think eating pure nutrition dense organic foods make a big difference overall body health!! (from teeth to bones).No all the food I eat isn't that but I do try hard! Food just isn't the same as grandma's farm fresh variety. Processed and fast foods have changed our world drastically and therefore affected our overall health. Add to that the chemical,dyes,fillers.......... Need I say more.I try to eat healthy and take whole food organic supplementation that seems to have helped alot with overall health and building my immune system to help fight off bugs. A high immune system is HUGE in helping people stay healthy!

 

[geebee]

I have more money in my mouth than my first OHS. Except for the bottom front 6 teeth, everything is capped, crowned or bridged. Sometimes I think it would be easier to just have them all pulled but my mom had false teeth and I remember how much I thought they were gross. I no longer feel that way but would like to try and keep as much of my own teeth for as long as I can.

I even have some work that needs to be done now but I am a dental-phobe also and have to work really hard to get myself into the dentist - a big problem for a heart patient.

I remember cavities and other teeth problems all my life so I am not sure mine is connected with my heart problems since they think my heart issues were caused by rheumatic fever (although undiagnosed so....).

 

[Phyllis]

Dick has had few problems before or since his surgery- a couple of cavities and one root canal since the surgery. He is meticulous about flossing and uses a water pik and electric toothbrush.

 

[Bina]

As a child I had several cavities, maybe due to my "sweet tooth".
Mind you, I now have a cavity.....my first in about 30 years.....I'll blame it on
having more candy in the house since hubby quit smoking.
The fillings in my back molars are finally getting loose, needing replacement, but that is 30-35 years of normal wear and tear.

 

[tobagotwo]

It's more the gums that are concerning - periodontal disease is often defined (without any actual proof) as one of the culprits. It certainly is suspicious in a good percentage of those who've had endocarditis. Without question, it has some effects on health. So it's something that should be corrected, no matter what reason is cited.

And no, you don't have to be piggish to get it, or never brush your teeth. I've had extensive gum surgery for periodontal disease, and I always brushed my teeth before.

It is treatable. It's not pleasant, but when you're done, you go back to having 15-minute cleanings with no pain and no blood. And no more lectures from the dentist or the dental technician...

But, it's not cheap. And it's painful healing, as you're going through it. Oddly, I remember the pain from the many novacain shots used more than the pain from the actual surgery areas. It was like someone had left a dotted line of pain points across the inside of my mouth.

I was left with many of my teeth, but some gaps. Since my surgery, I had implants put in for some that were missing, and have two upper pins to have put in next year. That involves a "sinus lift," a procedure for which I will spare you the description. The entirety of the process will take almost a year of procedures and waiting. However, if it's anything like the implants I have now, it's like getting a second chance with your own teeth when you're done. My 18-month experience prior to that with a small denture was painful and horribly unsuccessful. I'm neither squeamish nor picky: it just didn't work. The implants are terrific, and they feel completely normal.

Again, it's not cheap.

I put away money in my pre-tax medical fund to cover it, which is like getting a discount equal to your tax rate. It's about the best you can do, unless you find some kind of a program, or have upper-tier-type dental insurance. My dental insurance declined to pay for the implants. I found out that they pay for bridges, and made the case that they should pay toward the implants what they would have paid toward a bridge, if one could have been made. They finally agreed to that proposal. It didn't go too far, as I also have a $1500/yr limit, and had gone through much of the rest that year already.

Ross, any way you can wangle it is better than none.

Best wishes,

 

[Harrybaby666]

I think my Diabetes is causing my dental problems

I think my Diabetes is causing my dental problems

Although my tooth problems haven't really started until the past 10 years or so, I am thinking that mine might be caused by the diabetes-I have been diabetic since 1993 and the doctor's have told me that complications usually start between 10 years and 15 years of being Diabetic.....I am looking into getting my teeth fixed as my front two upper teeth are starting to turn sideways and push into each other....Yikes...

 

[WayneGM]

My teeth are in good shape. I haven't had a cavity in years. My problem is that I have a heavy bite and grind my teeth in my sleep, so I've been cracking them. Now I have lots of crown work to them....result = metal teeth.

 

[Curtsmum]

Curts teeth are perfect but he is only 9, time will tell.

 

[aussie girl]

I hate dentists and haven't darkened a dentists door in 20 years. I know I have a couple of small cavities that should be seen to, but they aren't causing any problems so I won't be going in the foreseeable future.

Mary

 

[Granbonny]

I was blessed with good teeth, too..until I reached the age of 50..Noticed in my photos smiling..how much I had gottten a long tooth. The one on top..so went to dentist..and he sent me to Perio -dentist..who did a painful procedure..and I went to local dentist for the top 4....to be crowned .They lasted for for 16 years.. ..when I had to go back last Jan ..to have them re-done..Costs a lot..but not nearly what Bob says about implants.. .I have several pulled..but do not show when I smile.... Hubby has both top/bottom dentures. hates them..even tho he spent a LOT of money for his top one last year.. Even Fixadent doesn't hold them all day.....so..hoping I can avoid dentures..Bonnie

 

[aussigal]

Absolutely Dental-phobic here...I even get nervous and delay calling for an appointment. After a terribly bad experience a few years back I now only have work done if its unaviodable and I am knocked out. Novacain does not work on me. I recall that awful day at the dentist where after 9+ shots (I was counting) of novacain and somethingelse I still felt them trying to extract a tooth which then broke and had to be surgically removed.

I have always brushed and flossed so I must just have fragile teeth... the sh!tloads of antibiotics for recurring Tonsilitis as a youngster probably didnt help either.

 

[Granbonny]

Looking back at Tobagotwo.posts..brings back BAD memories of my first Periodental gum treatment. He had me on a valium IV..and I felt great...until the next day.. the pain pills he gave me did not touch my pain...remember crying and laying in bed for days...so you younger members. take care of your gums..when they get diseased..you will start to lose your teeth..than only you will have a choice to pull them..or very expensive to replace them.. ..also, when I had to have one pulled a few years ago..he gave me pain pills. ..Didn't bother to have them filled. After the meds wore off. I was on cell phone to Hubby..telling him..Go get that %&$%# pain pills...Now. Dental work does hurt..why I try to go every year..for cleaning/checkups..bonnie

 

[csutherland]

For at least 46 yrs (as long as I've known him) Jerry had extremely short teeth. I mean like 1/3 the length they should be. They looked as if they had been filed off. Finally a dentist suggested they all be crowned. It's assumed that he has always clenched and ground his teeth so they felt like he'd never be able to tolerate dentures. So after a $14,000 tooth job he now has normal-looking teeth. This occurred in 2000 and within a year his valve problems surfaced.

Recently he started having bleeding when brushing and some gum pain. They determined that he has gum disease and are in the process of doing "deep cleaning" where they do the roots below the gumline. He says it hurts like the dickens, even with novacaine. He's had 1/2 of it done with the other half next week. Premeds were taken before, of course, as well as 20 days of additional antibiotics.

 

[Gnusgal]

I've only had one cavity and it was in a baby tooth. I don't even remember it. But I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my mom had them put sealants (sp?) on my teeth when I was a kid. I really need to get in to have my teeth cleaned (iced tea is starting to stain them ), but otherwise I've not had any problems (knock on wood!).

 

[hensylee]

my dentist is one of my best friends. Has been for nigh on to 20 yrs. I visit him often.

 

[maka]

Teeth are fine, no cavities (only had one small on in my life) now about my hair .........see my thread