like us!
recent blog posts
- Top 10 Tips for Safe Cycling
- How to Keep a Healthy Closet
- Empty Nest Redux: Saying Good-bye to the Family Home
- Military Service and Life Insurance
- Tidy Up Your Kitchen Pantry
- Olympic Medalist Faces New Opponent: Spring Allergies
- Genetic Testing and Breast Cancer: What You Need to Know
- Mushrooms and Your Health: You Either Love Them or Hate Them, but Here Are Reasons to Try to Love Them
- Don't Let Food Allergies Keep You Away From Summer Cookouts
- Helping Patients Navigate Social Security Disability Issues
Tuesday, Jun 12th 2012
Your Teeth: New and Improved
Whenever I go to the dentist and he tells me to open wide, I ask him the same question: "Do you see it?"
"See what?" he counters.
"The Porsche."
A few seconds pass before he remembers my line from the last time and slowly nods, smiling in a way that hints at a combination of compassion and smugness (my loss is his gain, after all).
Teeth. They're expensive. Mine sure are. If I took all the money spent on various procedures over the years—orthodontia, fillings, wisdom teeth extractions, root canals, crowns, repairs and now, dental implants—I could have owned my dream car.
But it's not to be.
And if someone had told me 20 years ago that we could "grow" artificial teeth, I would have told them they were dreaming. But here am I, the lucky(?) recipient of yet another dental implant—my third, to be exact. People get old, teeth get old, and my old, weakened tooth cracked and needed to be extracted.
Enter a new and improved version (and my plea to be kind to your teeth).
They're pretty amazing, these implants. The procedure replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial ones that can look and function almost like the real things. The implant, made of titanium, is surgically placed in your jawbone, eventually fusing to function like a real tooth, where it serves as the root of a missing tooth. It's a welcome alternative to bridgework or dentures, which can shift, make noise and require everyday maintenance.
Dental implants are time-consuming, because they are done in stages and involve several procedures. The success or timing (or both) is dependent, too, on the general condition and health of your bone, since it has to be vital enough to heal tightly around the implant (if it's not, you may need a bone grafting procedure first). Implants are expensive and painful at first, but in the end, if all goes well, you end up with something resembling and acting as close to a real tooth as you can get. You can read more detail about the procedure here.
Sound exhausting? Granted, there are a lot of steps and care involved. But then I think back to some pretty vivid childhood memories of sleeping at my grandparents' house and waking each morning to the sight of false teeth floating in plastic bowls of bluish antiseptic-smelling liquid. I always worried I'd accidentally knock those bowls over, sending the choppers crashing to the floor as I brushed my own (then-healthy) teeth. Though those false teeth never did get knocked over, who would think that years later, my own would get knocked out … and then replaced with titanium wonders?
By the way, the day I came home from my dental surgery, there was a nice surprise waiting for me (no, not flowers from my dentist). The folks at Garden Lites sent me a boxful of delicious frozen vegetable soufflés to sample. I loved the serendipitous timing of it all, since I could barely chew and had to be on a soft diet for an indefinite time. I was thrilled that despite not being able to enjoy my nightly salads, I could at least get my share of veggies. I popped the small, individually sized butternut squash soufflé into the microwave and happily indulged, able to scarf down some valuable nutrients despite the fact my mouth was pretty much off-limits.
The soufflés come in nine gluten-free, vegetarian and Kosher varieties, among them pizza, broccoli and roasted vegetable. They're 200 calories or less for the entire soufflé and are perfect for a light meal or hearty snack.
Or as a way to end the day in a nicer way than you started it.
Garden Lites has generously offered to treat one of my readers to a sampling of their fabulous line. Here's what you need to do (and in case you're wondering, no, you don't have to have dental surgery to qualify!):
Make sure to comment on my blog. I'll select a name at random this Saturday, June 16, and notify you by 4 p.m. EST on Monday, June 18. You'll have 24 hours to respond to me to tell me to send the gift (and I'm trusting you will!), otherwise a new name will be chosen. Sorry, offer is limited to continental United States only.
You might also want to read:
An overview of oral health
Perimenopause and your teeth
Comments
Jul 20, 2012 09:Jul 9 | bmean said
Dental Costs
Research for a good dental insurance. It was one of my best investments after 60. Many options include coverage for dental implants.
Jun 16, 2012 08:Jun 8 | sarah henry said
Dental work: I'm with Alisa:
Dental work: I'm with Alisa: Up there with car repairs in the expense category.
Jun 15, 2012 13:Jun 1 | HeatherL said
Dental Implants
How very interesting. I'd not had any experience with dental implants except on one of those beauty makeover shows. I thought they were practically instant. I guess not.
How sweet to have something you could eat when you got home.
Jun 19, 2012 09:Jun 9 | Sheryl said
You may be thinking about
You may be thinking about veneers or bonding, which improve just the appearance of your teeth, Heather. This is much more complicated and not as much fun :(
Jun 14, 2012 08:Jun 8 | Deanna G. said
Jun 13, 2012 20:Jun 8 | NRichmond said
If it takes so long to get
If it takes so long to get the implant do you walk around with a gap during the process? With the lenghthy process and expense involved, what is the draw?
Jun 19, 2012 09:Jun 9 | Sheryl said
Yes, you do walk around with
Yes, you do walk around with a gap. And that part is annoying. It takes months before it is healed enough to be able to put a crown on it.
The draw is that in the end, you don't have to worry about dentures, bridges, etc.
Not perfect, but I guess worth the payoff in many cases!
Jun 13, 2012 19:Jun 7 | rosalba said
Your teeth...
Wile the women in my family always take good care of their teeth but had a lot of cavities and all kind of problems the men never really care about and... have a good teeth. How it can be? so unfair!
I'm pretty sure that my dentist had a few good vacations at my expenses!!!
Jun 19, 2012 09:Jun 9 | Sheryl said
That is definitely unfair,
That is definitely unfair, Rosalba! I guess it's the luck of the draw; genetics, or a combination. How's this for unfair: my dad, who is almost 91, has all his (original) teeth and has never had a root canal. Me? Not so lucky.
Jun 13, 2012 17:Jun 5 | Debi said
Garden Lites
Ooooo... those sound really yummy! I'll have to see if I can find Garden Lites next time I'm in the city. I wish I could afford dental implants too, but living on a fixed disability income makes even going to the dentist out of reach. [:-(
I wish they did charitable dentistry like they do those extreme makeover shows! Hey, that's an idea... EXTREME DENTIST!
Jun 13, 2012 10:Jun 10 | kstaran said
Your Teeth: New and Improved
Hi!
Great article! Thanks for shedding light on the ins and outs of implants! The explanation of the procedure (as well as the cost!) should be very helpful to those considering this type of tooth replacement.
The Garden Lites souffles sound delicious and I hope to try them soon! I will probably order them for my Mom, too!
Thanks again for a very informative article!
Jun 13, 2012 07:Jun 7 | Living Large said
My parents both had false
My parents both had false teeth by the time I was born, so I awoke to that same sight, although they usually had theirs floating in cups. My mother NEVER allowed anyone to see her without her teeth. When she became terminally ill, they took her teeth from her and I thought that she would think that the greatest indignity, even moreso then the diapers. I've always spent bundles to protect my teeth. My husband just broke his front one off and we're waiting to see if they recommend an implant. Ka-Ching!
Jun 19, 2012 09:Jun 9 | Sheryl said
Oh, no. Hope there is a less
Oh, no. Hope there is a less costly alternative for your hubby's broken tooth!
Jun 13, 2012 07:Jun 7 | Sandra Gordon said
I'm so glad I don't need a
I'm so glad I don't need a dental implant but I'm glad it's available in case I do. High-tech teeth definitely beat the falsies my Grandmother still wears (and to think, she's had the same set for 30+ years). Ew!
Jun 13, 2012 00:Jun 12 | Hollyglutenfree said
Garden Lites are yummy,
Garden Lites are yummy, healthy but sometimes hard to find. I would love to try all their flavors!
Jun 19, 2012 10:Jun 10 | Sheryl said
Try looking for a store
Try looking for a store locator on their website; hopefully you'll have some luck. (There's a "find us" in the menu bar).
Jun 12, 2012 20:Jun 8 | Alexandra said
I had no idea that crowns
I had no idea that crowns only last 40 years. Since I got mine after having my kids, and I had children young, that means that I'm in the same boat: implant time! My first operation, they ground down the bone. It really hurt for days afterwards. Now I go to a massage therapist before the operation, which no longer involves grinding bone, and I have not felt any pain afterwards. She does cranial-sacral work on me. So, my tally is two implants so far, or is it three? And the spaces for three more implants are already ready and waiting for me to be able to afford them. Porsche? My mouth is a Porsche and a Cadillac.
Jun 19, 2012 10:Jun 10 | Sheryl said
Two cars? Isn't it a shame
Two cars? Isn't it a shame how high the cost is to restore our mouths? Sorry you are going through so much dental work. I can sympathize completely.
Jun 12, 2012 19:Jun 7 | Kathleen Lambert said
Scared
I am so afraid that this will be mee soon enough. I'm only 25 and I have a ton of issues with my teeth. I have very soft teeth and I have had so many cavities filled, and I have chipped teeth and rotting teeth. It's a nightmare in my mouth... and I brush twice a day and I don't eat sugary sweets or drink soda! Ahh!
On an unrelated note I would love to win some delicious Garden Lites!!!
Jun 19, 2012 10:Jun 10 | Sheryl said
Sounds like you did not win
Sounds like you did not win the tooth lottery. At least you are taking care of them - that's a good thing. Hopefully your teeth will pay you back and behave!
Jun 12, 2012 14:Jun 2 | Roxanne said
So far, my teeth are holding
So far, my teeth are holding up. The idea of implants skeeves me, but then dentures or partials do too.
Jun 12, 2012 13:Jun 1 | Lila said
Let them eat souffle
I Just am in the midst of my own implant procedure. Thanks for the good-hearted laughs!
Jun 12, 2012 13:Jun 1 | Alisa Bowman said
Love that you wrote about
Love that you wrote about this. Dental work is probably going to put me in the poor house. That and the upkeep on my car.
Jun 12, 2012 13:Jun 1 | Sheryl said
Although I've yet to sample
Although I've yet to sample them all, so far the stand-out is the butternut squash. Yum!!
Jun 12, 2012 12:Jun 12 | Francine Kleinpaste said
Dentists and Garden Lites
I have my first appointment with a new dentist this Friday. I usually look forward to my dentist, but due to a switch in insurance I had to change. I hoping I like this one.
Also, I love Garden Lites; gluten free, high protein, low calories; my perfect food.
Jun 12, 2012 12:Jun 12 | susanc said
Garden Lites
I have only been able to find the butternut, broccoli and roasted vegetable varities. Would love to find pizza. Sounds Yumm!
Jun 12, 2012 12:Jun 12 | Vera Smith said
Jun 12, 2012 12:Jun 12 | Janet V. said
They look fantastic! I am
They look fantastic! I am trying to convince my husband and son to eat more vegetables and less meat and these dishes might do the trick, esp. when they eat when I'm not home.
Jun 19, 2012 10:Jun 10 | Sheryl said
Hope this does get your loved
Hope this does get your loved ones to eat more veggies - it's sure a good and tasty way to do it!
Jun 12, 2012 12:Jun 12 | Terri Bollin said
I just found out about Garden
I just found out about Garden Lites and they sound delicious and I would love to try them. I have read so many great comments about them.
Jun 12, 2012 12:Jun 12 | Terri Bollin said
Just found out about Garden
Just found out about Garden Lites and I would love to try them. I have read to many good things about them.
Jun 12, 2012 12:Jun 12 | Michele Gibson said
Healthy Teeth
Healthy Teeth are so important to all round good health! I love the Garden Lites Gluten Free Soufles!!
Jun 12, 2012 11:Jun 11 | merr said
These sound great! I am
These sound great! I am always looking for g-free fare that's ready to go. And, congrats on your new smile.
Jun 12, 2012 11:Jun 11 | Linda C. said
Sorry you had to go through
Sorry you had to go through dental surgery, but you're right, our oral health is very important to our overall health. The Garden Lites sound delicious, thanks for offering a giveaway!
Jun 12, 2012 11:Jun 11 | Nancy Monson said
I found the Garden Lites
I found the Garden Lites souffles to be very tasty, too. I particularly like the pizza one! Hope your tooth feels better.
Jun 12, 2012 11:Jun 11 | Brette Sember said
I got an implant last year.
I got an implant last year. The actual surgery for the implant is scary b/c you are awake while they drill into your bone. And it is sore for a while. And it does take forever because first you get the tooth removed, then you get the implant, then you finally get the fake tooth put on the post. It took me about 9 months from start to finish which is a really long time. But now there is no pain there at all.
Serendipitously, I am on a trial gluten-free diet and would love to win!
