48 hours later

[the_siobhan]

No house renos this weekend. the_axel ordered me to take the weekend off.

The "off" part quite possibly included more cooking and fridge-cleaning and less video game playing than he initially envisioned, but it also included beers and darts and a birthday party and watching Dr Who. So I woke up this morning feeling like I have a much better grip on things than I did on Friday.

One of the reasons why I freaked out about this is because I am positively PHOBIC about losing my teeth. Seriously. And I have a major squick around dentures. Axel wears a partial plate and I have to not look at him when he takes them out or when I see them sitting on the bathroom sink. When they're his, I deal. If they were mine... well, I guess I'd have to deal, but it would not be the easiest thing I've ever done. This freaks me out way more than the HPV or the hysterectomy ever did.

The other reason is just that it was so completely unexpected. I deal with my oral health in much the same way I deal with everything else; I let it go neglected for far too long, then I go in to have the mess cleaned up and promise to try and do better next time and then never quite get around to it. But this much bone damage takes years. If I hadn't been to a dentist in the last decade I'd figure it was my own damn fault, but my last X-ray was something like eight months ago. And not once did anybody ever tell me there was a problem until now. I am really not cool about that.

But anyway. I can't grow it back. But I'm going to brush my teeth five million times a day, and I'm going to try out the folic acid recommended by betonica and I'm going to start being more regular on my calcium intake strictly on the theory that it can't possibly hurt. I have a prescription for a mouthwash with a nasty metallic after-taste, and a bunch of children's toothbrushes that will actually fit inside my narrow head. I'm going to quit biting my nails after a lifetime of trying. I'm thinking I might get a mouth guard for cycling and roller-blading because all my teeth are already really loose in spots and I'd really rather not go to all this effort only to smack them out by falling on my face. I have a referral to a specialist and I'm going to find out if there is enough bone left to do some grafts or something. And I'm going to do the best I can to reduce the stress in my life because I am a chronic clencher and grinder and that probably doesn't help any.

And if none of this works I'll have to get dentures and I'll just have to fucking deal.

In the meantime, you'll recognize me if you see me down the pub. I'll be the one with the toothbrush sticking out of my back pocket.

Comments

[unagothae.livejournal.com]

I hope the efforts help!

I'm pretty awful to my teeth :/

[grimjim.livejournal.com]

I've spent some time this weekend pondering how to retain my own teeth longer.

I've been getting cleanings done every 3-4 months to reach spots beneath the gum line that I can't get to with a brush.

Inflammation seems to be a key part of the damage process, so I'm figuring reducing stress and inflammation in general may help.

Make sure that calcium is paired with vitamin D.

If you can hold out a few more years, there seems to be some bone regeneration treatment on the horizon (over and above "guided tissue regeneration"). It's still in the research phase, but there's some promise.
http://medgadget.com/archives/2006/07/boneregeneratin.html

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

It looks like the process doesn't work for retaining the original teeth, which is too bad. My teeth are incredibly strong and it would be nice to be able to keep them. (There's the irony for you. Fantastic teeth. Shitty jaw.)

Still, implants are a hell of a lot better than dentures.

[grimjim.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping this prototype works out. It apparent stimulates jaw bone growth and tooth root growth. I'm guessing a crown can be built atop it.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060628.wxteeth28/EmailBNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

[mathochist.livejournal.com]

I have an implant, even where I had lost a lot of bone. (Two teeth on one implant peg, that is.) The process was pretty easy, although not quite as pain-free as they tried to tell me it would be. The expense was considerable, but worth it. The quality over the denture I had for two years before that is immeasurable. I forget I even have the implant, half the time.

[eveofdstruction.livejournal.com]

Yay for a weekend off. I'm really glad it helped.

[panic-girl.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. I have nightmares about losing my teeth. Like I said on the last entry, I'd have completely lost it too.

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

I was actually holding it together until she looked at my face and said, "Are you all right?"

Instant waterworks.

[epi-lj.livejournal.com]

I really hope that either a solution is found, or all the little things add up to enough. :) I know you'll find a way to deal if it comes to it, but it would be cool for it to not.

After I had my wisdom teeth out, I took to carrying a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash around with me, because they told me that the cleaner I kept my mouth, the faster it would heal. I found that brushing my teeth in restaurant washrooms was an interesting way to meet people. One guy even once gleefully whipped out his own toothbrush and asked if he could borrow some toothpaste. He was really excited that I had some.

[silentq.livejournal.com]

Heh, I always carry a travel brush + toothpaste, but have never had anyone comment in restaurant bathrooms. Maybe I need a more interesting toothbrush. :)

[victorianrose23.livejournal.com]

*hug* I have a bridge for my top front four teeth. Major dental work is no fun. I wish you lots and lots and lots of luck. i'm glad that Axel helped you relax and have a good weekend. I've been thinking about you *smooch*

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

May I ask how you like the bridge? I ask because I'm about to have my four top front teeth taken out (which I am NOT looking forward to) and a bridge put in, anchored on my canines. I'm having trouble believing that this is strong enough to last, and especially to eat things with.

[victorianrose23.livejournal.com]

I"ve had it for 16 years and haven't had any problems with it at all. Take care of your gums, have it checked regularly, and it should be fine. I would suggest making sure that it is the steel w/ porcelain veneer. That's what mine is and it could keep going. They're designed to go 20-30 years and the ones being designed now are even better than the one I have.