Coping with no teeth - HELP!

Wow GrowingoldDisgracefully. £50,000. It disgusting and with treatment, extractions etc. and a full set of teeth I can't justify the costs. It seems to be a free for all with dentists nowadays.
The only thing I can say is that I have been lucky enough to remain on NHS treatment and only have two of my own teeth left. My treatment and dentures have only cost me £281 so I doubt if I would need much in the way of further dental treatment. If they had presented me with those costs I would have had to say no.
It's a poor state of affairs with dentists nowadays.

There now seems to be a difference of opinion from the specialist and the dentist on whether all teeth should be removed at once, or removed in 2 stages! Either way I will have to be on a liquid/very soft diet as the teeth which would be removed first are the only usable teeth for eating purposes.
I have been given a 'review' appointment in this coming week so until then I'm still in limbo as to how this is going to proceed.
Barnyoldbat that is an option I have been given but at a price tag of £30,000 for a top plate, and £50,000 for a full set, I'm afraid that's somewhat out of my price range.
But thank you for the useful excuse for covering my face if going out of the house is unavoidable.

I had all my top removed to have 4 implants put in and a plate to anchor onto them. In all I had 24 stitches and had to wait two weeks for my plate. I wore a mask, told everyone it was health reasons and at last managed to lose some weight! It was all worth it in the end and I just love my new teeth.

The recommended course of treatment you described may feel overwhelming, but know that you're not alone in this. Your dentist and the specialist team are there to support you every step of the way. Remember, taking care of your dental health is essential for your overall well-being, and it's okay to seek advice and support from others.
If you're seeking more information or reassurance, websites like meetmydentist.com/blog/ can offer valuable insights and resources. Surround yourself with supportive people and trust in the expertise of your dental professionals. Stay strong, and know that you're on the path towards better dental health.

I filed off any sharp bits with an emery board.

GrowingOldDisgracefully I feel your pain. I have had to put off my eldest DD for her birthday meal out and supposed to be going to my youngest for the night at the beg. of March for a meal. I haven't seen her since before Xmas because of one thing or another and if I can't get this sorted I don't know when it will be. I tried this morning to get my bottom set in but no luck. I'm going to phone the dentist in the morning.

Oh dear Moonwatcher, I hope your dentist can sort it out for you soon. That does sound very miserable to have to be going through. Sending you a hug.

I haven't actually started on the treatment yet, I posted for advice on GN as soon as the verdict was made about the treatment, and now have time to plan and put into action the very useful advice from everyone.

Having called into the reception the previous Friday to confirm that I would go with the no teeth option and speaking directly with the treatment coordinator, I was expecting to be contacted during this last week to set an appointment date. Instead during this last week the dentist himself phoned me to confirm my option, said he would therefore write up the 'plan' but that that would be sometime over the next few weeks. So, looks like a further few weeks before they contact me to set a start date. So, atm I am in a horrible limbo - terrified of the upcoming treatment, yet having more and more difficulty eating, and another 2 teeth on the point of falling out. At this rate, I think I won't be seeing the new teeth until well into April or May.

I'm having to turn down invitations for various social events for the next few months as I just don't know when I'm going to see an end to all this.

I really wish it was all over and done with.

GrowingOldDisgracefully I hope you are healing better than me. It's now been over a week and I still can't put my new dentures in. The top set are still painful to wear as there seems to be a sharp bit and my bottom jaw is still too swollen to put the bottom set in. Thank goodness I still have my old top set. I can feel a slight click where my teeth were taken out and it's still quite painful. I will give it a few more days then go back and see her. I'm fed up of having to eat mushy food and chopping stuff up into little pieces. I feel stupid wearing my mask to go out but since covid I still see one or two so I guess I'll manage till I can get these flippin things sorted.

Thank you MissAdventure for the tip on sucking a sweet. I'll certainly remember that! Also for the giggle about being seen out in public, no matter how well disguised - Sod's Law is bound to apply.
Saggi, that's a positive outcome, I've already shed a few pounds due to having to avoid some foods but really missing crunchy salads, crusty bread, crunchy Coleslaw, fruit - I can't even manage soft fruit atm. Oh well, hopefully things will get better and the replacement teeth will be better looking than the current incumbents, which are definitely past their best-by date.

I do sympathise. Have dental phobia and lost two bottom teeth. Going with husband tomorrow to an emergency dentist appointment provided by 111. Just for support as he’s been coming with me to my cataract surgery which went wrong. Thankfully, eyesight recovering two months later. Not about me. Husband managing to sleep. His tooth looks ready to fall out. He’s four years younger than me but now realising what can happen when you get to 70.

Here you go
T’emportas coverup teeth for when you go out
runqqun.com/products/last-day-discount--50-off---adjustable-dentures

I broke my jaw a couple of years ago and had to have it wired! Couldn’t eat solids gir two months …wonderful …I brought a liquidiser and loads of fruit and started ‘blitzing’…add to that cereals….rice puds….custards….anything soft in fact. I felt great …went from 11stone to 9st 7lb and was never so healthy . When I got use of jaw back,id practically decided to give up meat
and as couldn’t open jaw 100% I had to give up apples and a few other hard items. I went back to 9st 12lb…and have stayed that way since! Never looked back. T try honk of it as a good opportunity to see if we all really DO overeat!! Eye -opening!

Another handy tip is that if a new denture makes you gag, suck a sweet for a few minutes before you put the denture in, and then carry on once the denture is in place.
Trust me, I was a dental nurse years ago (honestly!)

Morning all and thanks for the various responses and menu suggestions. No one has mentioned scrambled eggs, so maybe I can suggest that for my sister sufferers. (nice with cheese added!). I also spotted little pots of jelly and custard in Aldi yesterday so they'll be on the shopping list as well.

Re fear of dentist and maybe not having to return once this ordeal is over: my fear stems from early experience of tooth extraction for a brace, gagging from the plate in my mouth from the brace, and heaving when I had to take the brace out and clean it (all of which are replicating at the prospect of dentures, which will be a similar process), added to since then by the fact that my jaw dislocates at the dentist because of having to open my mouth wider than I normally do and for long periods of time. I have even had it come adrift when I yawn, so have perfected the art of yawning with my jaw clenched!
Unfortunately I'll have to return to the dentist to see the hygienist, as I will have to nurse along the few remaining lower teeth which will stabilise the partial denture.

In reply to other responses, I really like the idea of downing a bottle of whisky as a sedative - much cheaper! Though I'd prefer rum and not sure if I'd be able to stagger in and out of the surgery without aid 😂

Still, I am trying to look ahead, not be in pain any more and not afraid to sleep in case I choke on any loose teeth which decide to depart overnight. I did wake up before Xmas to find one had dropped out and was wandering around in my mouth, and there's now another couple eager to join in with the great escape.

And feeling less bothered about speaking to people in case I shower them with loose gnashers, and hopefully I can have a nicer shade of teeth than the current dingy home-grown specimens.

The cost is going to be horrendous, but at least there's an undertaker's business a few doors down from the dental practice in case the shock of the bill is fatal....

A friend messaged me and said she was in hiding for a month. Her front bridge had broken and it was going back in over her partials.

No idea what that means, I just sypathised.

I have had something similar and have a denture. Mine was caused by illness as a child. ( All my milk teeth were gone before I started school so I did well to hang onto ANY of my second set until I was 71) I love my denture. Well worth the fortune I paid. It changes your whole outlook on life. More confidence and NO FEAR OF DENTISTS. Enjoy !

Sorry you are going through this horrid ordeal.

My dear mum at age 32 had all her teeth removed, all at once, and had to wait about 2 weeks for her dentures. She hated having to go to the shops like that. The dentist said she had lost all the calcium in her teeth, so they needed extracting. It was after giving birth to me and it is normal to have low calcium after giving birth, you just need to drink lots of milk etc. to get it back up again. I always think that she really didn't need and should have been advised not to do it. I think the dentist just wanted a nice fat pay check that month! Always think about being able to go back in time and somehow telling my mum don't do it! The pain must have been horrendous!

In the same boat - the wearing of face masks without looking stupid has come in very handy ...!

I had 4 out a couple of weeks ago, and the remaining 3 teeth plus 3 roots (I must have swallowed one whole as it went missing on Saturday). will hopefully be going on Tuesday. You shouldn't need to be on a liquid diet, soft will be ok after a couple of days.

Enunciating without teeth is certainly possible, although it sounds a little different.

It took MONTHS for me to get a top denture (NHS) and there must have been at least 3 appointments to get the impressions etc right - I remember going in one day thinking I was gong to come out with teeth, but it took another 2 appointments after that! (and I am under the Special Care Dental Team because I've had a lot of trouble) I certainly did not have a temporary set!

One thing that all you people with teeth problems to look at is whether you might have SJOGRENS SYNDROME - have a google as it also causes issues with keeping a denture in, as your mouth is so severely dry. I can wear mine for aesthetic purposes but I cannot eat with them which is very embarrassing! I'm hoping that gravity might help when I get my bottom set?

I wish you the best of luck, but don't think it will be as bad as you are fearing ...

You have my sympathy. I have had problems with my teeth all my life, and now have a denture at the top and one for a tooth at the bottom (which I don't wear because the gap is not obvious). I am sure you should be given a temporary denture if you ask. A face mask is a good idea when you go out. That was one good thing that came out of Covid for me as I was able to hide my mouth and even take out the top denture without anybody noticing.

Well, one thing is guaranteed.
If you do venture out, heavily disguised, you're bound to bump into lots of people you know. 😬

I am due to have 3 teeth removed soon as they are broken and unable to be repaired. But added complication of being allergic to 2 of the common local anaesthetic, unfortunately had anaphylaxis to both. But was tested at Guys hospital and was able to have citanest local anaesthetic. Had a tooth out last year with no problems. However citanest is no longer available in this country,problems with manufacture. So have had to be tested again.
I did suggest to the dentist I could just drink a bottle of whiskey prior to extraction but she wasn't impressed !!
Local hospital have been amazing and now I have a new local anaesthetic called septinest. Hope it works and doesn't cause a reaction.
All this stress then the shock of dental charges. Specialist dentist and a consultant have to treat me,double fees !!

It won't be THAT bad. As I discovered after mouth surgery last year, there's a whole range of 'no chew' food available. Though I mostly fell back on Cream of Chicken or Tomato soup! You'll be able to talk.

Growing0ldDisgracefully I take my hat off to you - in the face of a less than lovely situation to endure for a while, you are being brave and managing to laugh. Some years ago I had an uncomfortable month or so due to an accident. I was advised, by a calm friend, to 'project myself forward' and picture in my mind when this would be over, and I was back to normal. Surprisingly it really helped; it was positive thinking that lifted my spirits and I hope it helps you too, along with all the usual good advice on here. xx

I had a temporary denture sorted and ready to wear immediately following having several teeth extracted.

Once I got my new denture I got extra teeth added to my old denture and thus have a spare which is in my handbag at all times. I was extremely glad of this when out for a meal and my newest denture broke in two. I mumbled my excuse me and headed for the restroom where I was happy to have my back up.

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.