Today, my best friend took next wednesday off so he can go with me to the dentist. I'm still absolutely terrifed, but like he said, even if the news is bad, which is, i will lose all my teeth and can't replace them ever, at least now, i can work on improving my teeth and maybe help my mouth in general.

when my dad first went for dentures, he was told, his gums and bones were too far gone for him to get them. he had never seen a dentist ever, other than 1 time in florida on vacation, to get a tooth pulled. for most of my life, my dad was losing his teeth naturally. so, when he went for dentures, i would say, he maybe have had 10 teeth in his mouth.

he finally did get dentures about 4 years later, so i'm not sure how they were able to get him dentures that time. i actually forgot he had gotten dentures about 6 months before he died. i remember he said the dentist had to pull 2 teeth, which was all he had. literally, for years, he gummed his way through food and life, but he seemed happy anyways.

my mom died when i was 19 and i do remember her going to the dentist once in HS for a tooth to get pulled. we had to take her to 3 places to find one that would put her to sleep. the others wanted to do the needles, but due to a huge phobia of needles, we had to take her to a place that did put her to sleep. i know her teeth were bad, she was a heavy smoker and her teeth were turning black. when she smiled, you saw black in the middle of her teeth.

i should have learned from them. but i didn't. because i wasn't raised to worry about my teeth, i didn't. even as an adult, i wouldn't take care of them or brush them and i have never flossed ever. i tried last night, but my hand kept getting in the way.

i know everyone is telling me, not to give up hope and i'm trying not too. i actually tell myself, the teeth that are giving out are my bottom teeth and because of this, you can't see them anyways, but i know deep down, i'll know they are gone.

however, i also know, if i give up complete hope about saving my teeth, then i'll just end up more miserable and more depressed. i'm already sad. i guess i'm expecting the worst, but really hoping for the best.

the funny thing is, despite my teeth breaking at the gum line, they aren't loose and i feel no loose gums either. all my gums are actually connected tightly to my teeth, at least it appears that way.

anyways, i just wanted to get this out. i'm scared and nervous, but at least i feel better going and having my best friend there. at least i'm not a smoker either, so i hope that is something that plays in my favor.

thanks for listening,
Charlene

I really don't think that you should worry about not being able to replace the teeth if they have to be taken out. I would guess that maybe your father went along time without teeth before he decided that he wanted to get them. Over time with no teeth the bone shrinks away. I know you've mentioned that you think you have perio disease. That does cause bone loss, but for you to be to the point already that you can't wear a denture would be rare. I wish you all the luck. If they can save some of those teeth and do a partial. I would suggest considering that and then take good care of what you have left. The more teeth that you can save(exspecailly on the bottom that denture is harder to wear.) the better it will be for you. Goodluck with your appoinment. Please let us know how it goes.

Dear Wideawake,

I have read several of your posts and think that what may be breaking off the back of your teeth isn't tooth structure, but a thick layer of calculus (also known as tartar). You admit that your hygiene has been poor your whole life. If you've never had your teeth cleaned, this calculus builds up little by little until you literally have the backs of your teeth covered by it. You probably do have issues with your gums and bone level, so be sure you keep your dental appointment and listen to what the dentist and hygienist say. They can help you. Good luck. :)

[QUOTE=wideawakeinaz]Today, my best friend took next wednesday off so he can go with me to the dentist. I'm still absolutely terrifed, but like he said, even if the news is bad, which is, i will lose all my teeth and can't replace them ever, at least now, i can work on improving my teeth and maybe help my mouth in general.
i should have learned from them. but i didn't. because i wasn't raised to worry about my teeth, i didn't. even as an adult, i wouldn't take care of them or brush them and i have never flossed ever. i tried last night, but my hand kept getting in the way.

Ch, I feel so much for you and my story is very similar to yours. I actually made it to the dentis for the firt time in 38 years and was pleasantly surprised with the improvement in my teeth when he did a clean up on them. As someone esle said the build up of calculus and tartar is probably quite a lot. I still have crooked horirid teeth though, and one crumbled away the other day plus the dentist said I have gum disease and I am a difficult case. He referred me to a dental hospital but there is 6-8 week waiting list. I have already been waiting 6 weeks and I am getting depressed and scared again too and quite frightened. Still, my advice to you is, go to that dentist while you are still young. Good luck to you! And keep us posted.