these teeth!!!!

TL72,

I am sorry you are having this much trouble with your teeth.  I know what a ride you have been on.

Anything that goes with keeping or losing teeth is one of the big issues we face.  How you determine it is time to go another direction, I do not know, but it sounds like you are close.

I try to be good to my teeth and so far so good. 

Matt

I was told the same thing—hold on to them as long as you can.  I had crowns on every tooth, root canals, etc.  I, too, spent a fortune trying to hang on.  Seven months after my partial glossectomy, I had my remaining top teeth pulled (My teeth had started to break off before the cancer occurred) and then last month, my remaining bottom teeth were removed.  In retrospect, my husband and I both agree I should have done this 10 years ago.  After the teeth were pulled, my health improved, the sores in  my mouth from oral lichen planus went away and I can eat things I couldn’t eat for years.  Right now, I have no bottom denture, so I’m on soft foods again, but in a month or so, I’ll start on the process of getting the denture made.   

I understand about taking care of your teeth with mouthwash, flossing, etc, etc and losing ground.  I had every kind of dental device out there, I think, to no avail.  My husband brushes his teeth twice a day and rarely has any cavities.  It was frustrating. 

my husband is newly diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils and lymph node - the oncologist determined his bottom teeth are not strong enough to endure the radiation - they are concerned about a fatal bone infection - so all the bottom teeth are coming out - soon.  we actually have the first appointment with the dentist tomorrow who will then have him see an oral surgeon - same practice -- I just wish we could skip the middle man and just get going with the teeth being pulled by the surgeon.  my husband will get a bottom plate - he already has a top denture plate (he was injured in a work accident years ago - hit by a power tool from a third story drop and he looked up as it hit his face). 

I hear you Tracy.  Was eating my nightly snack of milk and honey nut cheerios and a corner of my front tooth just fell off.  I think it's called tooth wasting. My teeth are just basically disintegrating and mostly the teeth which were in the path of the most rads.  The bottom of this front tooth has already been bonded once.  Now this will be twice. And four of my bottom front teeth has jagged edges and missing pieces.  I feel like a I may end of looking like a crack head.  When my molars had pieces fall off, my dentist just did a crown.  But now as it's happening to my front teeth they don't seem to suggest crowns.  I have heard scary stories about needing hyperbaric chamber treatments if you have to have an extraction.  Tonight I am feeling so down.  I think I need to find on oncologist dental specialist.  I had perfect teeth before my cancer. I never missed cleanings. Now, like Tracy said, my teeth are basically rotting. The dentist can say whatever he likes. But I never had this much decay in my entire life.  I cut out all sweets, candy etc.  I floss and brush every time I eat.  I have the last few checkups had six fillings at a time.  Eventually my teeth will give out. And then what.  I have the money to crown all of them. Why don't the dentists suggest this.  So far, thank God, no jaw bone necrosis.   Ok  my pity rant is over.  I am 7 years out from treatment of stage 1.5 tonsil cancer.   I am lucky to still be here.  I always wondered. What does that five year survival rate mean.  After five years is it a bonus.  lol.  I feel for you Tracy.  If I had had really bad teeth maybe it wouldn't be so heartbreaking and I could accept it better.  Going to find a dental specialist who is schooled in head and neck cancers and see how I can pay for some hyperbaric treatments.