I have to have dentures and I'm very upset about it

Deni you do not have to take your dentures out each night!

Between you, me and the gatepost (!) I only have 5 bottom teeth and the rest are dentures. I was born with the NHS in July 1948. My mother worked as a dentist's receptionist after leaving the armed forces in 1945 and had ALL her teeth out when/just after she was pregnant with me. Throughout my childhood I had regular checkups which always resulted in fillings or (unnecessary?) extractions. My teeth have always been poor and, in more recent years, I begged dentists to remove them - however they were more interested in remedial work

Eventually I found a very nice dentist who agreed with me. I took him a photo showing my upper teeth at their best and he replicated them. My remaining teeth are middle bottom and I use a small amount of fixative daily on the bottom denture only (which dissolves/disappears over 24 hours) and I'm happy with the lot for the first time in decades! I soak them in (Steradent) while in the shower and use ordinary toothpaste to brush them in situ at other times. Stop Worrying

Also, it is not necessary to soak a denture overnight. You can now get 3 minute Steradent tablets... cost about £1.25 for 20. Pop your denture into a glass with a tablet while you are in the bathroom.

As for accepting discomfort from a denture because it's NHS !!!! Nonsense. That's a dentist who is interested more in money that the patient.

My NHS denture is so comfortable I forget I'm wearing it.

A considerate dentist and a good dental technician = good denture.

My teeth are going the same way, Nonnie. I already have a plate for the top set, with 5 artificial ones on it.
Why not start with just a plate forthe top set, until you get used to them?

My friend has just had 8implants. £6000 in Kings Lynn, she is delighted.

I got my first plate yesterday. It's got three teeth on it, two on one side, one on the other, top. I hated it at first, it made me gag and I couldn't speak clearly. It's NHS as I can't afford private (thanks to con man). However, I persevered and by the end of the day it felt more comfortable, though I took it out to eat. This is the final challenge, and I hope to conquer it this evening.

How did she get that so cheaply??

Hi. For 3 implants I've been quoted £6000. I have to give up smoking ( I know ?) and get the gums healthy. As I am probably going to need more dental work I am worried I can't afford implants.

My mother told me that some women had their teeth removed for a wedding present...no more expense once a family came along.

Deni1963 Could you have a bridge instead of a denture?

Dear nonnie. I had a denture/plate for my back teeth in my early 50s because of receding gums.

i also couldn't bear the thought of having something my parents had in a glass of sterident as i wasn't old. I have such bad receding gums that that implants would be too expensive and could fail.

Just think of a plate like an implant. They are both false but it's the overall effect that counts. I don't even think about it now.

Good luck.

My eldest sister had to have a full set of dentures due to her really soft teeth and badly decaying gums. She always had troublesome teeth from very young and 3 more sisters have the same problem . My mum had dentures really really young I never remember her with her own teeth.They were always at the side of the bath as they made her gums sore.
I fortunately have my dad's genes for teeth as my dentist says people almost always have strong teeth OR strong gums but me and dad have /had both . Teeth like horses he described it (not big and yellow though) they are perfectly straight and many folks think I have dentures or crowns. Anyway my eldest sister says having the dentures is the best thing she ever did as she no longer has to hide her mouth when she smiles or laughs and her confidence has grown immensely since she had them . So looking back on this I don't believe that it only purely because teeth are not looked after , if it's in the genes there is nothing you can do about soft teeth.
Try not to be self conscious . Be like my sister and wear your dentures with pride.

No bridge as the crowns either side are not strong enough -

Thank you - how did she cope initially?

I think you are right Nanabilly in all the years I knew her my mother never went to the dentist because she had been so traumatised by army dentists during the war. She had one or two very old fillings but kept all her teeth till the day she died. I was living in the same house, eating the same food and going to the dentist every 6 months and my teeth are rubbish. Only half of them left and most of those are filled or crowned.

Right from the day she had them fitted she was proud of her new smile. For the very first time she smiled and showed the world she was happy with her smile , her eyes lit up. She coped remarkably well it took a couple of days for her to get used to the feel of them and to talk and eat properly with them in but not for long.

I have had dentures for a while now [my teeth grew loose when I was ill]. I was scared at the idea originally but it's been the best thing. My teeth are not shiny white but look very natural - none of my friends realised at first until I made the announcement. I use fixodent and then forget about them. I can eat what I like without any problems. Don't worry Nonnie1 you'll get used to them in no time and wonder how you ever managed before. I feel young again as I can smile without worrying. My dentist took time over the fitting and tbh they've been worth every penny. And they're easy to look after too.

My mother had front false teeth implanted so she didn't need dentures. It cost her a fortune, but they have lasted well, she is 98 now.

Thank you Nanabilly - does she take them out at night?

I didn't go to the dentist for nearly 30 years after several really bad experiences but had to pluck up the courage when the state of my teeth got really bad. The dentist advertises his practice as pain-free and I have to admit he was very gentle and while I was having extractions the dental nurse stroked my arm and constantly reassured me. I've ended up with a full top denture - the dentist said if I was embarrassed just tell everyone I've had implants and they will be impressed at my financial situation without being any the wiser about what I've actually had done! And he's been absolutely right. I do aim not to let OH see me without teeth but I think I'm more concerned than he is.

No she does not take them out at night ,she uses some cleaner that only takes a couple of minutes so no overnight soaking like my mum used to do.

Thank you - appreciate all the comments and reassurances - Sept 6th I have the partial plate - costing £450. Apparently these have little hooks on them so don't know how noticeable it will be - any recommend the best partial denture around?

I posted almost the same question a year or so ago - mostly I felt so ashamed at needing them and am always terrified that a family member will call in and catch me without them.
I had such good and kind advice on here which helped me feel normal.
I have got used to them and during the day do not give them another thought though I get to early evening and think thank goodness I can lock the door and take them out.
At least now you will be able to smile widely and improve your looks.

Thank you - I don't plan on ever taking them out except to clean! Still very anxious

Nonnie1 how are you now?

My partial top denture has a hook around a natural tooth to keep the top denture fixed. Unfortunately when it was upgraded the dentist/technician put an ugly metal hook on to the new plate which was very clearly in view. I refused to accept this and the plate was sent back to the technician who put a more modern hard rubber hook on to the plate. This blended in well with my gum and was less visible. My dentist had the grace to apologise for trying to encourage me to accept the horrible metal hook when this one looked so much better. The moral of this story is to tell your dentist what you're happy with and what you would like changed. Most of them are so very professional in helping the customer to achieve their goal.