Yesterday was my second dentist appointment in a series of appointments. My teeth are seriously messed up and I am trending towards implantable dentures. The genetics in my family are not kind to teeth and through the years my teeth have slowly deteriorated to the point where chewing food became problematic and eating was more of a burden than an enjoyment. Of course, a lifetime of smoking in my adult years greatly contributed to the demise of my teeth as well as general day to day neglect and abuse.
Currently, the teeth are gone in my left hand side both upper and lower. In three weeks the upper right teeth, what's left, will be extracted. As of right now I can only eat soft foods like pudding, fruit cups, and ice cream. I might try a small can of Beanie Weenies this afternoon for lunch. Basically, I am just eating to survive.
According to the plan I probably have at least two months before I can be fitted for the dentures. I am thinking that the implantable ones are the way to go as then I won't have to clean them each night with Polident but will probably just brush them with toothpaste, probably Crest or Colgate. Not sure about the need to floss but I am sure that my dental hygienist will clue me in on the proper cleaning procedure. Either way it will cost a bit of money but fortunately our financial situation will allow for the expense.
For the past several years I have missed chewing on relatively hard foods, being fearful of biting into an apple because a tooth may break off. When I finally get my new teeth I am going to munch on a carrot and possibly celery strips and dip them in ranch dressing. I am really looking forward to eating a carrot. Really that's the whole point of this painful exercise of the restoration of being able to eat again like a regular human being.
A possible complication in the scheme is that I also have TMJ as this may be a factor in fitting the dentures as they take up more room than normal heathy teeth, otherwise I will be sipping my future meals through a straw. No, I will not be slurping down carrot juice if I am unable to eat a raw carrot. Currently, I am trending toward V8 juice as there are 2 full servings of veggies in each serving. At least that's what it says on the can. For dessert I can suck on a Lifesaver mint. As the old advertising saying goes, "Lifesavers, they're part of living".