I'm going to be a toofless tweaker as 12 (all back teeth) gotta go !

[Chip (OP)]

you know that stereotypical toothless tweaker in the caravan park ? that's now me. *groan*

at least i'm lucky that my teeth barely show when i talk and smile so my tweakerness is not obvious.

it's true - drugs dry your mouth, then you crave sweet stuff and then you forget to brush - it's that simple.

sorry to gross you out.

[nick]

Dentures? False teeth?- Losing that many teeth will change the shape of your face and impact on your diet.

[Chip (OP)]

Dentures? False teeth?- Losing that many teeth will change the shape of your face and impact on your diet.

they had to go due to multiple infections already damaging the bone.

no choice in the matter. will get dentures for those back teeth, next.

[Opi-ette]

Chipper what is the dental insurance like in Aus? Just wondering because its basically non existent here unless you pay a fortune in monthly premiums, which in the end, cost as much as the actual thousands of dental work you have done.

Try not to get too down. Like you said, your teeth don't really show, and its the back teeth right?. can you not get implants due to bone loss? My sis had bone loss and they used bovine bone/cartilage to replace it.

PS..you could never gross us out 

[Chip (OP)]

I found a free public dentist but have to wait months to get in and then big gaps between treatments.

I am on benefits so I'm eligible.

some bone has been damaged to the point where implants are not possible so firstly, he will rip out the lost and infectious teeth then we will fix the remaining teeth then look at partial dentures.

I am so down on myself for trashing my teeth - if anyone young reads this then please look after your teeth (as a drug user) because you really want to keep your own.

[Opi-ette]

how are the top teeth?

[Chip (OP)]

much the same. front and side teeth are ok - it's just the back ones that will go.

curbing the persistent infections are the priority.

... but i'm a bit upset that I did this to myself.

[Opi-ette]

How are you curbing the infections? Are you on antibiotics? Or rinsing with peroxide?

[Chip (OP)]

I am only rinsing with warm, salty water with a script for Amox. on hand if feel any discomfort or raised temperature.

and I'm hoping luck is with me.

do think I should take the antibiotics anyway ?

[Opi-ette]

It depends, how long do you have to wait for the procedure? I'd probably hang on to it until/unless you feel fever or major pain/discomfort. you'll need them more then than now. And taking too many anti-b's lessens their effects.

Maybe throw in some hydrogen peroxide with the warm salt water in the meantime.

[Chip (OP)]

dentist says to not smoke etc. for 72 hours.

no sign of pain or bleeding.

fingers crossed.

[Opi-ette]

NO smoking Chipper! You get dry socket then you are really up a creek.

Fingers crossed. this too shall pass.

[Sand and Water]

It depends, how long do you have to wait for the procedure? I'd probably hang on to it until/unless you feel fever or major pain/discomfort. you'll need them more then than now. And taking too many anti-b's lessens their effects.

Maybe throw in some hydrogen peroxide with the warm salt water in the meantime.

Eeek!!  A big NO NO NO to the peroxide. It's toxic. Even if you don't ingest enough to hurt yourself, it harms tissue. It's why we no longer use it for abrasions in schools and discourage use at home because it destroys the healthy tissue surrounding the wound.

If you DO end up needing antibiotics, Opi-ette is right re:judicious use. For reason such as MRSA etc. Try to make sure you're given an anaerobic antibiotic (clindamycin or the like) as a lot of tooth infections go down into the jawbone. The bacteria survive without oxygen, so even though clindamycin is stronger & can be hard on the body, it will kill off an infection that would otherwise keep returning.

While you're waiting, if you can try to do salt water rinses a few times every day (even after your incision heals), it may help reduce your risk of infection.

Really hope this gets fixed for you asap

[Poppy]

Hi Chipper, here I am the stereotypical Brit with bad teeth, here to make you feel better! I have full dentures top and bottom and its not so bad, honest.

I started with a partial denture at the top. I had a fall and lost three top front teeth (yes I was drunk) then my remaining teeth got looser and it was time to say goodbye to them in one foul swoop. Time for full dentures.

I'll be honest they do take a lot of getting used to and with a partial you will automatically still use your natural teeth to chew even though those natural teeth are front teeth and not designed for chewing.

I didn't use My dentures properly till I had a full set. Now I sleep in them (my moth feels as weird without them as it once felt with them) I can eat pretty much everything except bite into an Apple, can still snog (in case you wondered) and they look ok. Photo on profile page.Mine were free on the UK NHS so they are not by any means top of the range. No implants but don't need to use glue.

I was only 41 when I lost all of mine so yours lasted way longer than mine.

Don't beat yourself up. Any questions, give me a shout.

[Opi-ette]

It depends, how long do you have to wait for the procedure? I'd probably hang on to it until/unless you feel fever or major pain/discomfort. you'll need them more then than now. And taking too many anti-b's lessens their effects.

Maybe throw in some hydrogen peroxide with the warm salt water in the meantime.

Eeek!!  A big NO NO NO to the peroxide. It's toxic. Even if you don't ingest enough to hurt yourself, it harms tissue. It's why we no longer use it for abrasions in schools and discourage use at home because it destroys the healthy tissue surrounding the wound.

If you DO end up needing antibiotics, Opi-ette is right re:judicious use. For reason such as MRSA etc. Try to make sure you're given an anaerobic antibiotic (clindamycin or the like) as a lot of tooth infections go down into the jawbone. The bacteria survive without oxygen, so even though clindamycin is stronger & can be hard on the body, it will kill off an infection that would otherwise keep returning.

While you're waiting, if you can try to do salt water rinses a few times every day (even after your incision heals), it may help reduce your risk of infection.

Really hope this gets fixed for you asap

Oy veh! My bad!! I grew up on the stuff and had no idea...Chipper listen to S&W and ex-nay the peroxide.