Once toothless
 

Just had the last few teeth pulled. Dentists all tell me you have to wait 6-8 weeks minimum to get fitted for dentures.

I understand this sounds weird, but I can't touch my gums together. It that normal after losing all teeth at first? Should you work at getting them to touch, or best not too? Or does it happen naturally?

Hi Samm,

Sometimes dentures are made ahead of time so they can be put in immediately after the extractions and other times the patient is told to wait a month or two before having them made. In your case, it sounds like you've had teeth removed at different times so the level of bone may vary quite a bit from one area to another. If that is the case, then it is usually recommended that the patient wait to get their dentures.

The issue with not being able to touch your upper and lower gums together is normal with many people. It could be because of the change in the bone as I mentioned and/or your occlusion (the way your jaws come together) no longer has teeth to take up that anatomical space. Our jaws are naturally designed to have teeth in them and the teeth are meant to bite against each other. When they are removed, there is often a space between the upper and lower jaw that is "open"... it's where the teeth use to come together. Depending on your natural bite (how your upper and lower jaws line up) your dentures will be made to fit into that bite and hopefully the bite will come together.

I hope this information was helpful to you. How are you doing without teeth....... are you eating ok??

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna. Thanks for the reply

Yes, VERY helpful. And you are absolutely right. I had about half of the teeth removed over the last 20 years, one at a time. Then earlier this month, 7 removed, and the last 7 just last week.

I thought maybe it was unusual the gums wouldn't come together as nobody said anything before hand, and I have never read anything. Again, thanks, huge worry lifted off my shoulders.

BTW. As far as eating, yes. I has a gastric bypass about 6 years ago. For the 1st several months it was baby food, and other food processes or cut up finely. So thankfully that helps me get through this

Hi Samm,

Yes, after gastric bypass surgery eating takes on a whole new meaning... and it did prepare you for eating without teeth, that's for sure!

How have you been doing since the bypass.... have you been able to maintain a healthy weight?

Bryanna

Yes Bryanna, for the most part. I was over 425 before the surgery, and dropped to 225 within 8-10 months. Since then I am back to 235-240, but that has been stable for years.

They were going to put me on insulin before the surgery, but my blood sugars dropped to normal very soon after. Still make me take a low dose of Metformin, just as precaution though. A1C last time (late Nov) was 6.3

Problem is the diabetes took its toll with severe cervical neck arthritis and neuropathy on lower legs and feet. The gastric bypass itself makes it even more difficult to absorb vitamins. Last time I was low on D and B-12

In addition, all the meds caused dry mouth which caused decay regardless of brushing 3 times, and mouthwash, including Biotine. The dentist said it was a losing battle, and suggested dentures

I was driving truck for 30 years. But was disqualified from commercial driving by a Neurologist because of the neuropathy. So had to go on SSDI

Hi Samm,

So you lost half of your body weight, that is amazing! Congratulations!!

Have you been able to increase your Vitamin D and B12 to a healthy level? Sometimes due to malabsorption reasons, some nutrients are given via injections or intravenously. Is that what you've had to do?

Yea, so many different kinds of medications cause the salivary flow to decrease making the person prone to tooth decay. It is a very difficult issue to deal with and unfortunately more times than not, the teeth need to be removed. Have you ever worn a partial denture before? Or is this going to be your first time with a removable prosthetic?

Your story is probably an inspiration to some people who may be reading this and are in a similar situation. Thank you so much for sharing it with us! Your optimism is coming through loud and clear!!!

Bryanna

Hi Bryanna

The Doc gave me a shot of B-12 once. The nurses said I would be doing cartwheels and running marathons, but I really didn't notice any increase in energy. He gave me a prescription for high dose vit D, then the B-12 is over the counter. I also take prescription folic acid, and 3 pills of 325MG each, of iron.

I had a Roux-en-Y bypass, where part of the small intestine is bypassed. That causes you to absorb less fat and I think less calories, for everything. But also causes less absorption of vitamins and minerals.

After 6 years I still can't eat a full plate of food at one sitting. Over eating. eating things high in fat or sugar, still make me nauseous and goes right through me. So it's more trying to avoid the discomfort, than any willpower involved I have to have blood tests for the vit and minerals every 3-4 months. That's the trade off, or consequences I guess.

As far as previous partials, yes, I had a partial upper 2 years ago. The Dentist I've seen for over 10 years is great at fillings, extractions, and other work. She is kind, has a great sense of humor (like when I ask what grades she got in dental school, and if she was absent the day they taught root canal), and very patient answering questions.

But the partial never did fit or work properly. It really never matched up with the natural bottom teeth. Just like any profession, some things they are expert at, some things not so much. So I decided to look elsewhere for the full dentures.

Problem is, I live in a small town in a rural area. Been thinking of going to Affordable Dentures. Even then it is 90 miles away. But they say they can do it in one day.

Hi Samm,

With regard to vitamin B12.. have you ever tried a sublingual form? I use a product by Jarrow Formulas called..... Methyl B-12 5000. It has raised my serum B12 to an optimal level and because I continue to take it every day, my level stays there. My husband had the same results with this product.

I also supplement daily with Vitamin D from a company called Biotics Research. I use their emulsified liquid called Bio D Mulsion Forte. Very easily digested and one drop equals 2000 IU's of D. I take 3 drops per day to keep my 25 OHD serum level in the optimal range. Is that the vitamin d test that you have done?

With regard to your dental work.... have you started the denture process yet?

Bryanna






QUOTE=Samm;740963]Hi Bryanna

The Doc gave me a shot of B-12 once. The nurses said I would be doing cartwheels and running marathons, but I really didn't notice any increase in energy. He gave me a prescription for high dose vit D, then the B-12 is over the counter. I also take prescription folic acid, and 3 pills of 325MG each, of iron.

I had a Roux-en-Y bypass, where part of the small intestine is bypassed. That causes you to absorb less fat and I think less calories, for everything. But also causes less absorption of vitamins and minerals.

After 6 years I still can't eat a full plate of food at one sitting. Over eating. eating things high in fat or sugar, still make me nauseous and goes right through me. So it's more trying to avoid the discomfort, than any willpower involved I have to have blood tests for the vit and minerals every 3-4 months. That's the trade off, or consequences I guess.

As far as previous partials, yes, I had a partial upper 2 years ago. The Dentist I've seen for over 10 years is great at fillings, extractions, and other work. She is kind, has a great sense of humor (like when I ask what grades she got in dental school, and if she was absent the day they taught root canal), and very patient answering questions.

But the partial never did fit or work properly. It really never matched up with the natural bottom teeth. Just like any profession, some things they are expert at, some things not so much. So I decided to look elsewhere for the full dentures.

Problem is, I live in a small town in a rural area. Been thinking of going to Affordable Dentures. Even then it is 90 miles away. But they say they can do it in one day.[/QUOTE]