Well,.... It's a Senior's Place, Ain't It?

I don't know the stats on seniors that still have their teeth imp, but I see a whole lot of young ones losing theirs over methamphetimines (spelling :confused:) It is heartbreaking to say the least. I see about 50/50 on folks I meet that either still have, or the have nots. Growing up in the 50s, the dentists seemed favor pulling teeth. Technology allowed me to save a couple of teeth that were going bad in the 80s. I try to see the dentist regularly, floss, brush, since I have heard stories from those that have not been happy, or comfortable with false teeth. I am glad for those that are blessed with good dentists that strive for their patient's comfort.

I have a gal-friend that just had the remainder of her teeth pulled, getting false to replace them. I pray she will have a good experience, as she is excited about having the "look" of her original (the dentist is going by her highschool pic). For her, thank God for the false/plates, whatever folks call them now. Her own teeth have been worked on a lot, and for whatever reason (she did explain) her own top front were turning more and more outward. She said something about a deal they put in to hold her teeth, was pushing on her front and eventually they were starting to do that. She told the dentist early on, something wasn't right. But they never fixed it. Maybe they couldn't, who knows.

PS imo, genetics have a whole lot to do with preserving our own teeth. The lady I spoke of, grew up drinking, and eating pretty much the same water and foods I did. Lots of candy and pop. She had tooth problems way beyond mine.
 
Denise, I had thirty two teeth until I turned fifty, down hill from there. The culprit? The antidepressants I took in order to care for my elderly mother after her stroke. Dry mouth, gum disease, cavities. Will have the remainder pulled this year. Sigh.
 
Shalimar said:
Denise, I had thirty two teeth until I turned fifty, down hill from there. The culprit? The antidepressants I took in order to care for my elderly mother after her stroke. Dry mouth, gum disease, cavities. Will have the remainder pulled this year. Sigh.
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You will look beautiful in your new perfect choppers...
 
Thank you QS. I am nervous, I admit, particularly since my previous dentist mentioned I would need to learn to "talk again."
At least, dentures will only set me back about three grand. My son insists I model them after my original chiclet teeth, slightly pointy vampire incisors and all. He refuses to be the only vampire in the family. Lol.
 
Shalimar said:
Thank you QS. I am nervous, I admit, particularly since my previous dentist mentioned I would need to learn to "talk again."
At least, dentures will only set me back about three grand. My son insists I model them after my original chiclet teeth, slightly pointy vampire incisors and all. He refuses to be the only vampire in the family. Lol.
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Well... not exactly learn to talk.. but you will have to practice pronouncing your "Cs" and "Ss" because you will have an extra layer of plastic on the roof or your mouth. Those were the only letters I had trouble with.. It feels like there is less room for your tongue.
 
chic said:
My crowns were only $1,200 a piece which was not bad at all. This was over ten years ago. Implants were about $5,000, but may be less now, plus most dental establishments offer payment options so if you need a new "tooth" it should be affordable. Lol, I remember when going to the dentitst was as affordable as going to the doctor. How things have changed !
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I think crowns are now in the $1500 range. It depends in where you get it done. At some college dental schools (which are very good) a crown is in the $500-$750 range. The price of dentistry usually goes up, not down. A friend who lives in Arizona got partial implants and it cost her $11,000 2 ys ago. She went to a place in Mexico and was extremely pleased, but she told me the cost would have been much higher in her area.

As far as crowns and other restorative work, some people just don't have the extra money or credit for work needed. I think that's why some let it go and end up losing teeth. And fear also plays a part. From what I hear, dental insurance has a cap and doesn't cover everything. To some, a couple hundred dollars out of pocket is a hardship.
 
If crowns are $1500 now, and I don't doubt it, then a bridge over one missing tooth would be $4500. And you've really only fixed ONE tooth. Plus you have to grind down two good teeth to anchor a bridge. That makes the anchor teeth weak. It starts a chain reaction. And bridges don't last forever, either.

I don't think I'll ever get another bridge if I lose another tooth. I have 4 missing teeth, but two of those were because they were anchors for bridges. I wish implants were as available years ago as they are now. In the long run at today's prices implants would have been cheaper for me.
 
NancyNGA said:
If crowns are $1500 now, and I don't doubt it, then a bridge over one missing tooth would be $4500. And you've really only fixed ONE tooth. Plus you have to grind down two good teeth to anchor a bridge. That makes the anchor teeth weak. It starts a chain reaction. And bridges don't last forever, either.

I don't think I'll ever get another bridge if I lose another tooth. I have 4 missing teeth, but two of those were because they were anchors for bridges. I wish implants were as available years ago as they are now. In the long run at today's prices implants would have been cheaper for me.
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Thanks for sharing Nancy. I've heard this about bridges from someone I know who got one. That's why I'd prefer an implant if it ever came down to that. It saves more teeth in the long run and I know the cost where I live is $5,000 per implant because I talked to someone who had it done. It's a tough choice so I guess a person has to do whatever seems best to them.
 
The one improvement I AM considering is having two implants to hold in my bottom dentures.. Those would be just two little buttons to snap the fittings into to keep the lowers in place. Lowers are the hardest to keep in.. and I have a very tiny amount of jaw bone for them to sit on.. I find I have to reapply denture adhesive to the lowers several times a day... while the upper plate stays well glued from morning til bedtime..
 
I managed to keep just three teeth in my lower jaw for the lower denture to click onto.

Went to the dentist a couple of months ago and those teeth are still holding pretty well.

Don't need to use any denture adhesive and I can eat anything I like. Apples, nuts, chew a steak? No worries at all.

It did come at a good hefty price though - cost over $Au1900 for the partial lower plate.
 
imp said:
Our old, small-town type dentist advocated using baking soda on a wetted toothbrush. I did for awhile, but the taste is definitely yucky! Never before, after all these years, did it occur to me, and just did: tooth decay is mainly caused by acid secreted by mouth bacteria as they digest sugar. Baking soda, Sodium Bicarbonate, is basic in Ph and neutralizes acid! The old guy may have been onto something, 70 years ago! imp
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Yes, baking soda is great for brushing teeth! I don't usually use it, but it is great.
 
I guess I am lucky I have never had any problem with my dentures. I never use any adhesives and I eat corn on the cob, tough steak, anything.
 
I hope if I ever get false teeth they fit well and I am happy with them. My mom was very pleased with hers. If I am out at the fence talking to my neighbor and she sees my brother out in the yard she tells me to hold on a sec while she runs in and puts in her teeth. So I'm guessing hers are uncomfortable.
 
I was at a family reunion last Sunday and a 97 year old aunt was there. She still had all her natural teeth. That has to be some kind of record.
 
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