Just curious, but how old are/were you when you got your first dentures?

I'll be getting my first upper plate next month...I'm in my 40's.

I was wondering if most people here getting their first dentures are young (like me lolol - just kidding) or much older. Just wondering. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Nice to have this board. There doesn't appear to be many 'teeth' messageboards out there.

Well.....off to read the replies to my message further down the board. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I am about to get the upper plate at age 46 [male].

I think that 55 used to be the average age to get dentures, but now it is younger. Care to guess why?

ummm why? Maybe people eat more junk nowadays? I actually thought that it was more unusual in this day and age for people to be getting dentures.

Maybe all of us 46 yr. olds in B.C. are getting upper dentures this year. lol http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif Actually, I'm not exactly doing the happy dance. I'm soooooooo nervous about the whole thing and will be happy when it's over and done with!

So......why are people getting dentures at a younger age now?

Hi Marie,
I'm only 31 and I'll be receiving an upper denture in a matter of weeks. I just had all of my extractions(13 to be exact) done on Monday. Unfortunately my upper teeth were beyond repair and the denture was the best and most affordable solution.
It bothers me a bit because I am so young but I know I will feel and look much better after I have the denture.
Good Luck to you!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Michele

Michelle - I'm curious as to why you didn't get an immediate denture? When I get my upper teeth all pulled on June 19, they will put in the plate right away. Apparently having the plate put in immediately helps keep the swelling down alot. Plus, there's the added benefit of not having to go around without any teeth.

Also, were you given sedation at all? I won't be totally put to sleep, but I will be getting an IV sedation, so that I'll just be really drowsy...

Do you have alot of swelling and pain? or did it all go fairly smoothly?

Hope you're feeling okay. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Just a note MMMarie....
I will be 33 in a few months...
I am amazed how much younger we all are getting dentures. I honestly thought it was for "old" people. Boy did I ever find out differently.

scaredstiff70 http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I got my first set at 29. That was 28 years ago
but I remember it like it was yesterday.

48. But I should have had it done over ten years ago.

I am 34 and have gotten a full set. My mom was 23 (which was almost 40 yrs ago)when she got a full upper and a partial lower. I don't think that it was ever just an "old person" thing, I just think that more people are talking about it now. Or maybe back then more people would just go through life with bad teeth until they all fell out.

Mary

well, it seems true that younger people are getting dentures.
To be fair, my mother got hers at age 20. i think there was something about money, but she says her teeth just went rotten, and they were too poor to have candy like the kids today.Our whole famnily has bad teeth except for one member, so there is a genetic component unless its all diet that we all ate that cause it.

no, I don't think it is just the candy as to why younger dentures are happening. But I want to see a few more opinions before I lay a heavy conspiracy trip on ya.... [da da da da da da]
Could it have something to do with high speed drills [+40,000 rpms now]?
Could it have something to do with the detrimental effect of the emphasis on children getting dental treatments at a younger age?
Could it be the simple fact that we generally get MORE DENTAL TREATMENTS in the boomer generation, and the teeth become 'sensitized'? in other words, dental treatments themselves are the problem?

OR is it other things in our diet and medicines that interfere with the biological processes that would keep our teeth healthy? EG -interferance from things like vaccines, in combination with the nutrient-poor diet of modern grain crops, all crops?
Maybe an effect of toxic air and so on, interfering also?

Aww, I lost ya. Nobody wants to believe our modern lifestyle isn't perfect. But something, despite all the education dentists get, isn't helping us is it? Teeth are meant to last for a lifetime, but despite all the best care, they deteriorate faster than ever.
There is a theory about modern medicine - they don't have cures, and they never look for causes of illness, becasue they want to keep us alive, but ill. It is just good business sense.
I am Sarcastic and vitriolic, yes. Bad teeth can cause mental illness. My sister has seen it many times where a nutcase [like me?] comes into the mental ward, then gets their teeth pulled at some point, and walks out of there.

Got a full upper a year and a half ago , should've got it done a long time ago , wasted a lot of money and agony on failed root canals and othe useless fixes that didn't work.
Oh by the way I'm male and 45.

My wife got a full upper when she was 22 , she had no choice at the time and has no regrets to this day.

I had an immediate denture but I made the horrible mistake of leaving them out after the 2nd day (because of pain) actually it was more like discomfort rather than pain. Try to take them out for cleaning only and wear (replace) them as much as possible for the first week......it's crucial. I left mine out for well over a day and there was no way possible they would fit back in because of the swelling that took place while I had them out. When the swelling finally went down enough to wear them again , my gums did not match up properly with the denture and it ended up being a costly relign because my dental insurance would not cover an immediate relign , most companies will allow it almost a year later but not within the first couple of weeks.....250 dollars later.......don't make the same mistake I did.

[This message has been edited by Finn (edited 05-31-2003).]

I am a 46 yr. old female, and just got my first upper partial this year. I still have about 5 teeth remaining on top (including my front teeth), but my dentist claimed that I was too young at 46 years, to be losing all these teeth. (I didn't thank that was very professional to be making me feel guilty about it). Anyway, I thought I was too young to be having a partial, but now I can see that is not the case after having found this board. Anyway, in January I will go in for the bottom partial and he will be pulling most of the bottom teeth also. (Bad teeth really run in my father's side of the family). Anyway, I had an immediate partial put in the top, as I have to work every day, and did not want to go without teeth. They looked really nice after I just got it, but now it is loose, as my gums have healed, and I have to use Fixodent several times a day just to keep it in. I am always scared it will fall out, or somehow I will choke on this! I have to go in for a re-alignment, and hopefully it won't be so loose after that... Good luck to everyone!

Hi,

I feel that widespread fluoridation has A LOT to do with the decline of our country's dental health. I learned the truth about flouride about 8 years ago. It's actually a waste product that was illegal to dump into rivers, etc, so the government approved its addition to the water supply. Excessive fluoride actually has a weakening effect to teeth--and BONES, btw (and we've all heard about the increasing problem of osteoporosis). So, if you get fluoride in your drinking water, fluoride in your infant vitamins, fluoride in your toothpaste, and fluoride in your dental rinses, I would say the chance of you getting too much is pretty much 100%. :(

We stopped using fluoride in my home as soon as I learned all this. My six year old has never had ANY fluoride, and has wonderfully strong teeth. I began seeing a new dentist for myself a few months ago, and was asking about his prices for cleanings for my daughter. I added that I would be refusing the fluoride treatment. The hygenist immediately said, "Oh, we do not use fluoride in this practice!" Ahhhhhhhh--I've found our permanent dentist! :)

There are other factors, too, that have contributed to our country's poor dental health, I'm sure. However, I feel fluoridation, is a big cause!

Kiki

Hi Respo,

I agree with you. More and more dental treatments lead to more and more dental work -- the more they shave down, the more dentists weaken the teeth.

I had no dental work till my late 30's(all virgin teeth except for one old mercury filling). I had work done on 9 teeth throught the new technology of air abrasion to remove my "micro decay". This unnecessary procedure put wide holes in my teeth to remove the tiny, tiny decay(that could have taken many years to turn into full blown cavities). Guess what, for the rest of my life I will have to have these teeth checked on and redone with new restorations as needed. It all was a scam to enslave me to the dentists for years to come.

Teeth are made to last a lifetime. When the dentists that treated me(as I had alot of problems with the work done on the 9 teeth), they acted like unnecessary dental work is done all the time -- to me, to kids. I feel people lose their teeth in many cases by repeated and unnecessary dental work through the years. Unless teeth are hurting, leave them alone. THey have all these new unnecessary procedures under the guise of "cosmetic" or "preventative" which means unnecessary. I am so angry because my natural teeth were ruined that don't fit properly that I would like to get them pulled and get dentures???!!!!! Dental leads to more dental to loss of teeth.

Hi

I am a 31yr female and have had a partial upper denture for my four front teeth since I was 17!! I am due to have all the remaining uppers out any day now and am looking forward to having a pain free smiley lifestyle once more!!
Luv n hugs
Ali
xxx

I'm 31 and I going to have my full upper soon, my dentist is going to make my first impressions on November 21, 2003. I'm toothless (my uppers) since August 7, 2003. I can't believe Im going to have my dentures soon.
Giselle Marie

Hi

I'm a 35 year old female and am new to dentures. I've been wearing complete upper and lower dentures for little over two months now.

Like Giselle I also waited for my gums to heal and am really glad I did as my dentures fit really well. Giselle how did you adapt to not having uppers these past three months? I'm sure it must have been difficult at first. What type of work do you do and were your colleagues/partner supportive in the time that your teeth have been out? I bet you really excited about getting your denture. I know I could not stop smiling when I first received mine. Look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers
Charmaine

i got 2 front partials when i was 21. i am 23 & i'm still traumatized. i was very self-conscious to begin with, i have severe anxiety, and i won't date anymore because i'm afraid of what would happen if my date found out about my teeth. maybe i make too much of a deal out of it, but i can't help it. my ex boyfriend never minded, he was around all this time, but i'm still very embarassed.

everyone told me all my pain would go away after the extraction process. it got worse. i had TMJ symptoms before, but they worsened since i got the partials. i had braces for 3 years, all that time and money was wasted. i'm not sure what happened to my teeth... i hardly ever had cavities when i was little, i ate healthy foods, i didn't even like candy very much, i brushed well... but then my teeth started crumbling and i went to the dentist & half of my teeth were abcessed, and so the removal process started. :( i wish i could go back and change everything now, it was the worst experience of my life i think.

The only way I've been able to cope with my own experience was by rationalising that all I was losing were troublesome teeth. I had so much more to gain from the experience, and remaining positive in the face of all the support I received was what enabled me to deal with things. If you are going to remain negative about your teeth and your life people will respond to that stance and treat you in the same way. You said it, "maybe I make too much a deal out of it". Start putting things into perspective, I am sure that once the abscessed teeth were removed you were finally free from pain. There are people that are so much worse off, that have lost so much more, yet they cope or find a way to deal with their lives. Your ex boyfriend never minded that you wear a partial and surely there will be others who won't as well. If they do, they certainly not worth having in your life. I have tried to surround myself with people that add value to my life rather than those who make me feel bad. I am sorry that this is sounding like a lecture, but I'm sure you still have so much going for you. Focus on the positives and ride with it.

Cheers for now.
Charms


i got 2 front partials when i was 21. i am 23 & i'm still traumatized. i was very self-conscious to begin with, i have severe anxiety, and i won't date anymore because i'm afraid of what would happen if my date found out about my teeth. maybe i make too much of a deal out of it, but i can't help it. my ex boyfriend never minded, he was around all this time, but i'm still very embarassed.

everyone told me all my pain would go away after the extraction process. it got worse. i had TMJ symptoms before, but they worsened since i got the partials. i had braces for 3 years, all that time and money was wasted. i'm not sure what happened to my teeth... i hardly ever had cavities when i was little, i ate healthy foods, i didn't even like candy very much, i brushed well... but then my teeth started crumbling and i went to the dentist & half of my teeth were abcessed, and so the removal process started. :( i wish i could go back and change everything now, it was the worst experience of my life i think.

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Hi All,
I am 48 and will be celebrating a two week denture anniversary tomorrow. I had teeth extracted and immediate dentures installed. Full upper and a partial lower. It has been a roller coaster ride for the last two weeks but is getting easier to bear every day. I was not sedated, just a valium and numb. I had very little pain. I guess I was very lucky in that aspect of the process. These message boards have helped me tremendously!!! I have learned a lot from others' denture experiences. I wish you the best. One of the hardest parts for me has been coping mentally.
Warmly,
2Treevers

I am a 30 yr old male just had 32 tooth extraction and immediate upper and lower put in.I'm too lazy to type much about it right now but i will say I'm glad the ordeal of my bad teeth is almost over with.In my case-I took care of my teeth but had an affinity for dr.pepper and cigarettes both of wich i think helped contribute a lot to my teeth crumbling.Pathetically since i've had my teeth pulled i havent smoked a single cigarrette or drank a soda =p

Hi Charmaine:
I don't know if you remember me, I use Jolein now because I can 't log on with my old handle, Giselle Marie. It's not easy to be toothleess, if you go to college, go to restaurant to eat is another problem too. I always eat the same stuff, mashed potatoes, fish, ground meat, pasta, etc, I can handle many food but is a little difficult when other people are looking at you. But soon I going to have my upper denture, yipeee!!! The doctor took my first impressions on Nov 20, 2003 and I have another appointment on December 16, 2003. The only thing that worried me a little is my doctor is over booked and is no easy to get appointments close. Maybe I can't have my dentures in chritsmas, but is ok. Im concentrated in my studies and I in a diet (nw is more easy) I lost 6 pounds and looking for lose another 24. I can't hardly wait to have my dentures, I'm planning to see my family in Puerto Rico the next year, and I'm happy because for this time I can smile again with confidence.
I'm happy for you Charmaine, I remember whe you posted that you was waiting for your dentures for two months, now you have it. We are lucky because we have very supportive partners, my husband is wonderful.
(if I have mistakes sorry, E=english is no my first language)

Hi:
Hi again, I have my second impressions on November 16, 2003. The doctor took another impressions of my lowers teeth because the firsts one was no so good. He make adjustment to the base. He told me I'm three appointments away to have my dentures(maybe at the end of January), hooray :) I have another appointment on Januaty 6, 2003. I can't hardly wait to have my dentures.
Giselle Marie

Just wondering what happens while you are sleeping if you still have bottom teeth and but wear uppers and take them out at night. I would think that it would hurt when the lower teeth hit the gums during sleep?Just curious, heading that way soon :(

Hi Giselle Marie

I remember you well and was glad to see your response to the earlier mails. Reason being is that we share a similar experience and I can therefore understand what you are going through. As you may have noticed from my previous mail I had all 32 teeth extracted in one go and waited for my gums to heal before being fitted with falsies. Per my response to Dusty's thread earlier today, I find it difficult to believe that well over three months have passed since I stated wearing dentures, it seems like just yesterday when I was still going through all the anxieties of post op.

Like you pointed out it is traumatic to be seen in public without teeth. I had to return to work quite soon after mine were removed and was fearful of the reaction of my colleagues even though I had told them what I would be doing. Thankfully my greatest fear, i.e. that my husband would find me repulsive, was not realised which definitely helped to make the situation easier and more bearable.

As we enjoy socialising, and with his support, we continued in much the same way. Even so eating in restaurants in the beginning was not exactly a picnic. People have a way of staring and making one feel self conscious. Gumming my food at the time proved to be a source of amusement for some of the less sensitive out there. Society in general is not very tolerant of what they think of as out of the norm. Am I correct in assuming that you have only had your top teeth removed? Sorry, in a later post you speak of the dentist doing an impression for the bottom teeth as well so I am a little confused about that. If you just had top teeth removed I would imagine it's probably that much easier to eat as I would think the bottom teeth would help with grinding. In my case my facial muscles would get quite sore since I would have to bear down that much more to try and chew my food. Also one's vanity kicks in and I found applying makeup in particular to be a bit of an ordeal as the longer I was without teeth the more sunken my mouth had become. I think I eventually developed more tricks than some of the best makeup artists out there. The upside is at least now I have more options for a second career!!!

Thankfully my gums healed and rounded enough for dentures to be fitted sooner than my dentist predicted. Here I am months down the line and despite everything am thankful that finally I am able to smile with confidence, my health has improved tremendously and my zest for life has returned tenfold. Would I do it all again if the choice were between really bad teeth or dentures - absolutely!!

So Giselle, I wish you all the very best and hopefully when I next hear from you you would have received your denture/s or that much closer to it. I am sure that your new beaming smile will be everything you would have hoped for. Visiting your family with a smile you can be proud of will also be that much more enjoyable.

Good luck and best wishes.
Charms


Hi Charmaine:
I don't know if you remember me, I use Jolein now because I can 't log on with my old handle, Giselle Marie. It's not easy to be toothleess, if you go to college, go to restaurant to eat is another problem too. I always eat the same stuff, mashed potatoes, fish, ground meat, pasta, etc, I can handle many food but is a little difficult when other people are looking at you. But soon I going to have my upper denture, yipeee!!! The doctor took my first impressions on Nov 20, 2003 and I have another appointment on December 16, 2003. The only thing that worried me a little is my doctor is over booked and is no easy to get appointments close. Maybe I can't have my dentures in chritsmas, but is ok. Im concentrated in my studies and I in a diet (nw is more easy) I lost 6 pounds and looking for lose another 24. I can't hardly wait to have my dentures, I'm planning to see my family in Puerto Rico the next year, and I'm happy because for this time I can smile again with confidence.
I'm happy for you Charmaine, I remember whe you posted that you was waiting for your dentures for two months, now you have it. We are lucky because we have very supportive partners, my husband is wonderful.
(if I have mistakes sorry, E=english is no my first language)

I was 30 when I got my upper denture. I had no sedation or anything and it was very traumatic,but in the end I was much happier with my new teeth. I had an immediate denture, got used to it quickly, and still have it after 23 years. I have never regretted doing it, however I have been very self-consious about it, because I thought I was way younger than anyone else who had dentures. I'm so glad I found this message board, finally I feel like I fit in.

Teeth are made to last a lifetime. When the dentists that treated me(as I had alot of problems with the work done on the 9 teeth), they acted like unnecessary dental work is done all the time -- to me, to kids. I feel people lose their teeth in many cases by repeated and unnecessary dental work through the years. Unless teeth are hurting, leave them alone. THey have all these new unnecessary procedures under the guise of "cosmetic" or "preventative" which means unnecessary. I am so angry because my natural teeth were ruined that don't fit properly that I would like to get them pulled and get dentures???!!!!! Dental leads to more dental to loss of teeth.

Antoni, you are so damn right. I wish i go back in time and stop all these unnecessary drillings and fillings . Why would dentistis do that to you, me,everyone?? Just for money. I realized it's partially my fault because i tend to listen to them. And go with them and never trust my heart and instint. Oh lord what i have done to myself, like self mutilation. My perfect teeth throughout school, well my ordeal started right in h.s. Now i just go to the denstist when i am in pain. Wish i could sue these *******s, so angry

Antoni, you are so damn right. I wish i go back in time and stop all these unnecessary drillings and fillings . Why would dentistis do that to you, me,everyone?? Just for money. I realized it's partially my fault because i tend to listen to them. And go with them and never trust my heart and instint. Oh lord what i have done to myself, like self mutilation. My perfect teeth throughout school, well my ordeal started right in h.s. Now i just go to the denstist when i am in pain. Wish i could sue these *******s, so angry
Hi surreal,

Just to let you know how I ended things with a lawyer I consulted with about suing. That was just a big money making sceme. He would charge me $100.00 to get all my dental records and there's like 12 dentists who I saw. He said that the dentists I paid good money for would most likely not want to get involved in any type of expert testimony against the other dentists. And I would have to pay HIS DENTAL EXPERT 2,000.00 for review of the case. Now like 5 of the dentists that I saw agreed that the cutting of the teeth was unnecessary and bad dental at that. I mean if noone was willing to stand up for me why should I be paying out all this additional money for another expert. Now the statute of limitations has run out and I can';t sue anyone.

As for my shaved down teeth and bad bite. It's aged me. I have a "sunken in" look where the jaw repositioned itself. Instead of a full jaw it;s shorter having to adjust to a lower vertical dimension. I have pain in my lower back into my neck and jaw. It feels as though someone is pushing my whole spinal cord into my neck and jaw. What happened is that with the shorter teeth the jaw adjusted, then the neck had to adjust, then the back and the rest of the body. I know this may not happen to most people but to me it did.

I don't work and feel that I quit my last job due to the stress from the repeated bad dental. Also I paid a prothodontist like $7,000.00 to fix the bite and what did he do --- HE MADE IT WORSE by removing tooth structure in the wrong places and not putting it back. SO my bite is completely lopsided yet again. And people say I look much older than I am. Like I tell friends, if I were assaulted and physically injured, the pain would go away when healing takes place. But with shaved down, teeth that affects your jaw and skull, the pain never goes away. It's a sort of ongoing torture.

In my case, it things continue to get really uncomfortable I will get my 8 molars pulled and have an end put to it.

Take Care

And know there are others who empathize with you.

GOd bless

Ok i honestly dont know where to begin other then i am terrified. I am a 23 year old female who has just been told that i need 5000 dollars worth of dental work to save my teeth. I fear losing my teeth, but i have no insurance and the town i live in is scarce on jobs, let alone jobs with benefits. I keep thinking about what i could have done to keep my teeth healthier but my parents could never afford the dentist when i was younger and now i find that i cannot eaither. i don't know what to do. i feel my husband may find me less attractive although he swears if it happens (if i must get dentures) that he will love me just the same. But i have seen the way he reacts to those with dentures and he reveals disgust. I never thought at this age i would have to worry about losing my teeth. The thought of losing them in public or while intimate with my husband is also a concern. i have also heard that it ages your face quicker then normal when you lose your teeth. i guess what i am looking for here is some support...some advice and experiance to help me accept this. my husband complains i sound like a broken record and even yells at me when i become upset over my teeth. he says i should just have them all pulled and stop my worrying. i told him he has no idea what i am going through, he has beautiful teeth, and he said it wouldn't bother him. What should i do? Any advice or help out there? please?
sincerely,
ARSB

arsb:

I'm a denture wearer. I had to have my remaining 24 teeth pulled because the decay was so severe there was just no way to save them at least not without spending in excess of $30,000.00. The only solution for me was to have root canals and crowns placed on all of my remaining teeth and there was no guarantee that I wouldn't wind up having to have them pulled and get dentures anyway in five years or so. It doesn't sound like your situation is as bad as I was in. $5,000 in dental work really isn't that much but I know it can feel like a million especially if you don't have any money to spend. I know there are a couple of web sites that offer loans to pay for dental work. You might want to call your dentist and ask them about it. They may even have the application you can fill out. Another option is maybe to locate some charties in your area that might be willing to help you pay for the cost. I know how stubborn dentists can be about getting paid at the time of service but maybe you can find one that is willing to let you make payments on your dental work. It sounds like your teeth can be saved. Beleive me, dentures are not the answer unless you have no other choice. And no they do not make you look older. In fact, I actually look ten years younger since I got mine because they fill out my face. I guess the most important thing is don't give up!!!! Where there is a will, there is a way!!!

arsb:

I'm a denture wearer. I had to have my remaining 24 teeth pulled because the decay was so severe there was just no way to save them at least not without spending in excess of $30,000.00. The only solution for me was to have root canals and crowns placed on all of my remaining teeth and there was no guarantee that I wouldn't wind up having to have them pulled and get dentures anyway in five years or so. It doesn't sound like your situation is as bad as I was in. $5,000 in dental work really isn't that much but I know it can feel like a million especially if you don't have any money to spend. I know there are a couple of web sites that offer loans to pay for dental work. You might want to call your dentist and ask them about it. They may even have the application you can fill out. Another option is maybe to locate some charties in your area that might be willing to help you pay for the cost. I know how stubborn dentists can be about getting paid at the time of service but maybe you can find one that is willing to let you make payments on your dental work. It sounds like your teeth can be saved. Beleive me, dentures are not the answer unless you have no other choice. And no they do not make you look older. In fact, I actually look ten years younger since I got mine because they fill out my face. I guess the most important thing is don't give up!!!! Where there is a will, there is a way!!!
mysticvenus:
i want to thank you for your reply. It has made me feel better about things. i am going to do my best before turning to dentures but it is good to know there are people to turn to for answers to my questions. thanks for the support.