Coping with no teeth - HELP!

I’m sorry, I really do feel for your dilemma - but the potential cost to you is what’s making my eyes water. I have an appointment for a root canal treatment at the end of this month - at a cost of £680. A recent appointment with an implantologist cost me £120 (for 20 minutes) and the prospect of getting the bill for an upcoming tooth removal and replacement with an implant is giving me sleepless nights. 😱

I was in your situation some years ago when a side effect of medication damaged my gums beyond repair. I had all my teeth removed under sedation which to me seemed less stressful than having 4 sessions of removing the teeth 25% each time. That seemed like unnecessary, protracted aggro. You will be sore for a while but people will be able to understand you when you speak until your dentures are ready. As for eating, you will find soft food easier to begin with but I found I could 'gum' harder food really well in the end. Dentures need perseverance but for me, they are a blessing. No more agony sat in the dentist's chair, saves hundreds of pounds and no toothache. Believe me it will be worth the next couple of months just for that. Also if you have grandchildren you will become a sensation as someone who can take their teeth in and out. Good luck, no more tears, you will look back soon and wonder why you were worrying.

Firstly, I feel deeply for you, I too have a huge dental phobia and haven’t been for at least 6 years and am now without a dentist, couple of loose teeth and totally terrified!

So, in terms of food, I second the Wiltshire Farm Foods, they have a “soft” range, we used to get them for my MiL as her dementia made it hard for her to chew. Also homemade soups, even blitzed, are full of flavour. Also Boots do a supplement liquid meal, full of protein, you can have just once a day. My late father had to be on a liquid only diet for around 6 months after surgery.

Good luck and try not to stress about how you look, your family won’t care and it’s just temporary x

I was in an accident few years ago and I lost most of my top teeth also scared of dentist i force my self to go he knows what im like and luckily for me he’s great. I had to go without teeth for a few weeks to heal my mouth before they could remove I wouldn’t leave house but in 10 days my jaw was fine and teeth removed And my bedside ones installed lol don’t understand why you waiting so long

Gosh! Reminds me of my grandfather. No teeth but could chew an apple and speak as clearly as anyone 😆❗

They may give you a temporary denture. I had one as it helps to shape the gums. However I didn’t have total dental clearance. Rather relived that wearing a face mask was the ‘norm’ at the time! Food wise, jelly with soft fruit was my go to to start with, as I felt nauseated. I’m also diabetic, so struggled to keep my blood sugar stable. But the best advice is get a stick blender or liquidiser if you don’t have one. Whatever meal you do, just blend it, everything from roast dinners etc. You'll feel like a toddler, but be getting the nutrition and TASTE of real nosh!

I know how you feel. I am not a gran and am 40 but 20 years of oestrogen surpressant medications have left me with teeth and bones of someone 30 years older. I have had 8 teeth out in 3 years and have another two being surgically removed this weekend.

I will not be able to eat either as the only part of my mouth with back teeth will be the right upper side. I have to wait 3 months before getting fitted for partial dentures and I am dreading not being able to eat anything.

G3 I do sympathise, and hope it goes ok. You won’t need to go hungry if you use a stick blender, with drinks through straws perhaps. Good luck this weekend. Horrible I know.

Just a quick message of sympathy from one who has also struggled with poor teeth, along with my sisters, all of us old woman now.
But after this tedious toothless time, life is going to be better! Isn't it?

Poor you .
I am sorry : let's hope that it heals up quickly and look great !
I think that you need a good vitamin tonic to ensure proper repair of your mouth .
Clove oil and cloves are great mouth healers too .

Granny activist, yes, cost does add insult to injury! I haven't received a quote yet but so far have paid £95 for initial consideration, £150+ for last week's appt with a specialist the dental practice uses. According to the practice's website sedation starts at £250, simple tooth extraction is £120, presumably per tooth, more for surgical extractions and I suspect a broken at the gum lower wisdom tooth I have will be problematic. Dentures start at £1200 (presumably per set) so I fear I'm looking at multiple thousands of pounds in the end. This is going to wipe out my savings so I have thought about just letting them fall out naturally and going without but my husband says I should go ahead and we will just have to manage. Another terror hanging over me. 😢😱

I can’t offer any advice but was wondering if your phobia of going to the dentist stems from going to the school dentist in the 60’s? I had bad experiences and as an adult didn’t go to the dentist until I was in such agony that I had to go to one. I’ve now realised that the modern dentist’s aren’t like the butcher school dentists in the 60’s and I attend regularly. I still dread going but remind myself that it’s ok now. I wish I had looked after my teeth as a child but don’t remember being encouraged to.

Cossy another vote for Wiltshire Farm Foods, thanks. Will definitely get on and order from them when I have a date for the torture, sorry I should say treatment....
Sarnia, I hadn't thought of them paying for themselves in the long run but a positive for me to consider, thank you.
G3mini I will be thinking of you this weekend, sending you supporting hugs virtually.
And again thanks to everyone who has responded with support and suggestions, it is helping. 💐💐💐to you all.
As a matter of interest, question for GNers who have had their bionic teeth long term - how many years do dentures last for? I'm guessing they may wear out over time and need replacing?

I had similar. Lifetime of phobia until some teeth crumbled.
Masks through Covid were my best friend.
Then DD's wedding loomed, so went to a dentist recommended by a friend 2 years before who are good with anxiety.
He so put me at ease. I said I needed sedation, he was confident I didn't.
I wasn't phobic about the needles, just extraction after a horrific experience years ago.
So went ahead, putting it all on a credit card.
I can honestly say he was wonderful, extracted broken teeth (mostly top) with no pain. He was gentle and lovely and it wasn't even 1% as bad as I had expected. I still have most of my bottom teeth.
Now here's the thing, he had top teeth denture made prior and put it straight in. Gentle swilling with salty water was all that was advised, to keep the clots in place.
I've been back X2 in a year to have it adjusted and relined and as he's so clever he does it himself while I wait.
He explained to me that the mouth can actually keep healing and changing for a year or more. So I'm confused as to how yours think that after 6 weeks they are going to fit and the healing is all done.
It hasn't been plain sailing, I struggle with the different goos that you can buy and I have a bad habit of chewing on them which I don't realise I'm doing, but at least I can smile with confidence. They look great and are better quality than some I've seen with NHS ones that look like plastic piano keys.
Could you ring round a couple of other dentists in the area and ask advice, maybe give my example as I'm sure what you have been told is one option but it's not the only one.

Growing0ldDisgracefully

Cossy another vote for Wiltshire Farm Foods, thanks. Will definitely get on and order from them when I have a date for the torture, sorry I should say treatment....
Sarnia, I hadn't thought of them paying for themselves in the long run but a positive for me to consider, thank you.
G3mini I will be thinking of you this weekend, sending you supporting hugs virtually.
And again thanks to everyone who has responded with support and suggestions, it is helping. 💐💐💐to you all.
As a matter of interest, question for GNers who have had their bionic teeth long term - how many years do dentures last for? I'm guessing they may wear out over time and need replacing?

Thank you. Dental care is so expensive. My teeth all have awful roots. The teeth crumble and the jaw bone is hard so my extractions all end up being done surgically. The last one cost £750 5 weeks ago and these two are costing £995 and then in 3 months I will need partial dentures and my dentists charge per upper or lower starting at £1300 each.

Add that to the cost of living, me being ill with multiple health concerns and unable to work it puts a massive strain on the credit card paying it off bit by bit.

Look at Kenwood mini chopper - managed steak when I could not chew. It makes guacamole, grinds seeds and grains and at a push makes an acceptable paste (with a little sauce/gravy) of fish and meats. Nothing wrong with Wiltshire etc but you will get better nutrition with this.

So sorry for you GrowingoldDisgracefully. At least when this is done I’m assuming you will never have to darken the dentist door again! I’ve never had a fear of the dentist but then I’ve never had any work done except the occasional filling. I think a lot of school dentists have a lot to answer for although I never encountered one. Good luck, it will soon be over.

I have a swallowing problem and haven't eaten a proper meal with a knife and fork for nearly a year.
I live on overnight oats with cooked pureed fruit and yoghurt. As well as home made soup, puree it and freeze it in portions ready. I avoid adding meat as it is too stringy for

I bulk cook a combination of potato, sweet potato, carrot and butternut squash and mash it well and add cheese, some days I need to add gravy to make it even runnier some days I manage it.

I buy things like lentil puffs, monster munch and rusks as I can break them into small pieces and put them in my mouth and suck on them until they dissolve and use my tongue to rub them against the roof of my mouth and then they slide down dead easy.
Milk, custard and protein shakes are also a good idea. I get Fresubin from the dietician as my diet lacks in protein. On the days I can't eat I drink hot chocolate and add cream.
You can also use jellies with your yoghurt. Tins of rice pudding and semolina should also slide down.

It is soul destroyingly tedious and boring, but Im still alive so I am doing ok.

Why not bulk make some stuff before the operation and freeze portions of it, then you are less tempted to use tins of stuff?

Try not to drop when you see the price of the Wiltshire farm pureed meals!!

I would also suggest little and often, so aim for 6 small portions rather than 3 usual meals.

Good luck

Forgot to say that a Kenwood mini chopper is a terrific idea. I’ve had one for years, they’re small and neat and won’t break the bank. Couldn’t cope without one, and your own food will be much tastier and nutritious that ready meals.

I am so sorry you are facing this prospect, but I hope and trust that it will not be as bad as you think.

Yes, we use our teeth to enunciate, but we do also use our lips and tongue, so with a little patience on behalf of those you are speaking to, it shouldn't be too bad. I found myself able to understand most of what my husband was saying, while he was without teeth.

Outside your home, I would suggest you wrap a scarf over your face, and if anyone is rude enough to comment, just say you are having dental work done and have been advised to avoid getting cold - or rather just shiver, and they should get the message!

Soups such as asparagus or mushroom blended are easy to eat as no chewing is involved. Other kinds of soup will probably need both to be blended and sieved.

If you like such things, custard, blancmange or any kind of milk pudding is easy to swallow and nutritious. Yoghurt if you care for it is easy to cope with too.

Protein drinks are available, but frankly most of them taste horrible!

After the first few days, you may well be able to eat mashed potatoes, mince, boiled minced chicken and some fish - probably better boiled than fried, as if you fry anything, do so over low heat, so you don't get a crisp outer edge, And don't use breadcrumbs!

Ask you dentist if they have any booklets on what to eat and what not to attempt, or can refer you to a clinical dietrician.

So sorry for you,but look on the positive side you are going to look like a film star with gorgeous new perfect teeth,if you get a chance to choose the colour make sure they don’t fob you off with yellowish ones,you are going to look gorgeous,good luck.

Why is dentist not extracting only upper or lower teeth at one time. Appreciate you are having IV sedation but if only one jaw at a time was addressed this would allow you to still eat albeit at a lesser level. The first jaw would bpe allowed to heal and when the second jaw was done and dentures fitted you'd be able to eat, speak, and have less discomfort. Extracting all at one time seems barbaric to me. Of course, you may have lost a lot of teeth already and will not be having a lot extracted this time round.

all my top ones gone and some of the bottoms too (sick)
i was 27/was a like you afraid to do anything then a friend came to me and she had all of hers broken in wreck/.she pulled me up and said you gum will get tough.
i have to eat alot so i dont disappear.about week she came and handed a bag of frys and a big cheese burger.i wolfed it down never went back
something i cant eat.nuts, steak and the crunch stuff but for the most part i am good just keep trying. just had a cheese burger for breakfast!!!

Another recommendation for Wiltshire Farm foods, but as I've only just seen this post you might have already contacted them. They are very kind and helpful, reasonable prices and do mini meals too, which I get
wiltshirefarmfoods.com/how-to-get-started/our-meals?PLT=GPPC&CA=16733140772&AGID=135052247437&AID=676063644451&KW=wiltshire%20food&infinity=ict2~net~gaw~ar~676063644451~kw~wiltshire%20food~mt~e~cmp~~ag~&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA8YyuBhBSEiwA5R3-E6m5FNoCauFzD4hgIIARUeTKVLR2UaVgRxVaRXDBBtORC3FZuZGdFhoCGaYQAvD_BwE for slimming

Another possibility I've just thought of is www.annabelkarmel.com/ children's fresh and frozen foods, a bit cheaper than Wiltshire and in most supermarkets.