Dentures at 22! - Dental Health Message Board

dianenjeff · 07-16-2004, 06:00 PM

Hi everyone, I am new to this board. I was recommended here by a very nice person. Basically my story is.. I am only 22 years old (will be 23 in Sept) I had a wonderful daughter in April 2003. But when I was pregnant my teeth began to basically fall apart. So, I have an appoinment for in August to get a full upper denture and a partial bottom. My mother had the same problem as me and so did her mother. She says it is a hereditary defect in the enamel of the teeth. Basically, what I was wondering if anyone here had gotten dentures in their early to mid twenties? I would really like someone in a similar situation to talk to. Thanks!

Sandybeech · 07-16-2004, 06:37 PM

Hi Diane, I did not get my dentures until I was 35 but my teeth began to fail during my second pregnancy. I've had dentures for almost 4 years now and I think I have mastered them quite well. I am sure that your mom can tell you many of the up's and downs (no pun intended) of dentures. They are not so bad once you make up your mind to learn to wear them. It is a terrible blow to ones self esteem but knowing that you are making a long term improvement to your health will help with this. Gather all the support you can from family and friends. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

dalesgirl · 07-16-2004, 07:29 PM

Let me try this again... I typed a whole big post and then it wouldn't go through.. gotta hate it when that happens..LOL

I got pregnant with my first child at 18 and had perfect teeth. All of a sudden they just got worse and worse. Like you mainly the enamel fell off. By 25 when I got my dentures I had two children and just couldn't stand it anymore. Not only was I in constant pain but every few months (6 months or so) I'd be back at the ER or dentist because of an absess or something and the pain was so bad I couldn't bare it anymore. None of my teeth just simply got a cavity like you would think but mine ALL went bad from the gum to the tooth and not the other way around. I finally convinced a dentist to pull all my uppers(the insurance I did have at the time had a cap and that's all I could get done). When I was sitting in the oral surgeon's office I told my story and how all the brushing in the world made them not only get worse but hurt worse. He told me that I had gum disease... Hum.. nice of someone to tell me that after dealing for years with it. I still every once in a while have that awful pain in the bottom ones and just recently got 3 of the 10 remaining on bottom pulled because of a horrible absess I had and I'm only 32 now.

I don't regret getting my dentures although I was upset I was so young and had had beautiful teeth. People that don't understand (including my parents sometimes) think you get these things simply by not caring for your teeth and that's not it at all. I did all I could to prevent it, or so I thought and yet it almost made it work in overtime.

You have to do what you have to do and trust me not only will the pain go away but your self esteem will get a major boost.

zashel · 07-22-2004, 09:05 PM

Hi I just we today and had the remaining 7 of my top teeth removed and this was after years of crowns root canel and pulling but mine was mostly due to braces and children also. my teeth started cracking an falling apart.My dentist was very upfront and honest with me and told me due to my braces (I had them the first time for 2 1/2 years and the second time for 1 1/2 years and they removed all 4 of my bicuspids) had shortened my roots on my front teeth so much he was surprised that I still had them. He said if he did a partial that if would from the pressure pop out my teeth. So here Iam today with no top teeth and actually since I had it done at 4:30 pm an it is 11pm and feel pretty good mostly hurt where the shots were given. And my speech isn't as bad as I thought It would be but my dentist did not put in dentures he wants me to wait 3 months to fully heal which is the worst for me. He gave me pain med but really the advil works better.Good luck I feel your pain Iam only 38 and was not prepared for this I just hope the dentures are not to funny

gossgal · 07-27-2004, 02:25 PM

Hi diane i actually just answered your other post...lol. i had my teeth pulled a few months ago at 25 should have been pulled at 20!Mine wasnt due to pregnancy but eating disorders instead. does not matter what causes it it hurts like heck to think about. Im just slowy rebuliding my self esteem. Lets keep in touch as we are I think the youngest on here for total extractions!... gossgal