1. < Aging Well

Teeth, own or false, dentist costs, extractions etc.

Posted by Valerie @lacy2, Mar 20, 2021

Just wondered if enough folk interested. As a 77 year old had molar extracted last December and one 2 days ago. As I have no family doctor (shortage) and a list of physical illnesses and mental past and present and some medication reactions, I have been checking Internet. I used to check Web.md and almost relied on it but twice found incorrect advice....well one was definitely incorrect the other says gum should be healing in 2 weeks and I was quite worried as mine took so long last time, but other sites and dental pages say 6 weeks to fully heal etc. etc. Ask the dentist? Well with Covid and plastic covering each room and busy busy, its 'IN AND OUT' as quickly as possible. So glad I discovered mayor connect a months or so ago.... so helpful especially hearing from those who understand our illnesses or have them or have conquered them; I still feel people think "I am putting it on." J. Ontario

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

ess77 - Elizabeth | @ess77 | Mar 21, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "@lacy2 @lioness You’ve both mentioned dry mouths. I’m so sorry if I’ve missed this somewhere in..." + (show)
@loribmt

@lacy2 @lioness You’ve both mentioned dry mouths. I’m so sorry if I’ve missed this somewhere in the discussions, but have you mentioned the dry mouth to your physician? Is this caused by medications you’re on?

There are several products on the market which can help relieve the symptoms. Oracoat Xylimelts really work well. They’re little disks that adhere to your teeth or cheek and time-release Xylitol, which is a natural sugar substitute that gets the saliva flowing and promotes healing. During my chemo treatments, Spry mouth rinse, which also contains Xylitol but NO alcohol, helped sooth my incredibly sore mouth. Other products such Biotene or Act Dry Mouth rinses help with keeping moisture in your oral tissue.
If those fail to help, there are several prescription drugs which help with saliva production.

And to answer the question of putting baking soda in salt water mouth rinse...yes, you can do that. There are also rinses with Hydrogen peroxide, such as Peroxyl, however you don’t want to use that for more than a couple of days as it changes the normal flora of your mouth. Adding honey is also soothing. Just don’t swallow any of these and always follow with just a plain water rinse.

8 ounces of warm water and 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. If your mouth is tender and the salt water rinse is stinging, you can use ½ tsp of salt instead of a full teaspoon for the first day or two. Use this several times a day. If you want to make it up ahead of time to use all week, then bring the water to a boil first. Store in the refrigerator and warm the solution to room temperature or add some warm water just to make it more comfortable to use.

I hope these Ideas help!

Jump to this post

@lorimt, @lacy2, @lioness They surely do help lots. A friend told me about Xyliments and I ordered them....got some good relief for the first time in years. Lori, lots of good suggestions......hope these help. Dryness and sores and general mouth issues affect your whole life, no fun. Wish you well that you get reliefe!
blessings, elizabeth

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Mar 21, 2021
In reply to @ess77 "@lorimt, @lacy2, @lioness They surely do help lots. A friend told me about Xyliments and I..." + (show)
@ess77

@lorimt, @lacy2, @lioness They surely do help lots. A friend told me about Xyliments and I ordered them....got some good relief for the first time in years. Lori, lots of good suggestions......hope these help. Dryness and sores and general mouth issues affect your whole life, no fun. Wish you well that you get reliefe!
blessings, elizabeth

Jump to this post

@ess77 Thanks I sure hope these suggestions from Lorimt help

REPLY
1 reply
Valerie | @lacy2 | Mar 21, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "@lacy2 @lioness You’ve both mentioned dry mouths. I’m so sorry if I’ve missed this somewhere in..." + (show)
@loribmt

@lacy2 @lioness You’ve both mentioned dry mouths. I’m so sorry if I’ve missed this somewhere in the discussions, but have you mentioned the dry mouth to your physician? Is this caused by medications you’re on?

There are several products on the market which can help relieve the symptoms. Oracoat Xylimelts really work well. They’re little disks that adhere to your teeth or cheek and time-release Xylitol, which is a natural sugar substitute that gets the saliva flowing and promotes healing. During my chemo treatments, Spry mouth rinse, which also contains Xylitol but NO alcohol, helped sooth my incredibly sore mouth. Other products such Biotene or Act Dry Mouth rinses help with keeping moisture in your oral tissue.
If those fail to help, there are several prescription drugs which help with saliva production.

And to answer the question of putting baking soda in salt water mouth rinse...yes, you can do that. There are also rinses with Hydrogen peroxide, such as Peroxyl, however you don’t want to use that for more than a couple of days as it changes the normal flora of your mouth. Adding honey is also soothing. Just don’t swallow any of these and always follow with just a plain water rinse.

8 ounces of warm water and 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. If your mouth is tender and the salt water rinse is stinging, you can use ½ tsp of salt instead of a full teaspoon for the first day or two. Use this several times a day. If you want to make it up ahead of time to use all week, then bring the water to a boil first. Store in the refrigerator and warm the solution to room temperature or add some warm water just to make it more comfortable to use.

I hope these Ideas help!

Jump to this post

Thank you @lori and all , years ago my optometrist and dentist suggested i ask my dr about dry mouth/eyes maybe sojourns and when i asked him he snapped; "you don't have it." No discussion, no tets. Fast forward 8 yrs, new doctor. Again new dentist suggested i talk to dr about it; he looked in my mouth and snapped (is snapping at patients the new norm for some drs? ?... "you dont have a dry mouth" .....wwwwhhhhat ???

So although I knew i did have very dry mouth, i must say i didn't do a lot about it. I think maybe why having tooth extractions at 77. Guess i felt i was up against a brick wall with 2 drs saying i didnt?

i did buy some expensive mints from new dentist but one of the ingredients, i think Xylitol, causes diarrhea and i already have ibs-d and fecal incontinence. So I blame myself for not doing more but when two doctors flip it off, its not very encouraging. Since i have had many uti's i do now keep a jug of water by my bed and every time i wake up take a sip... but i feel dry mouth and eyes could be or could have been symptoms of any of the list of illnesses i now have. Yes my mouth has been sensitive for years even to orange juice, catsup etc but i just avoid... if i haD my life to live over would have walked the thousands of miles to Mayo for a complete medical!!!!

ps i have a small chip on my shoulder about both drs, one of which said he couldn't see a goiter on my neck which another dr had noticed during anunrelated exam but hadnt put in his report... then we were on vacation in bonita springs and went to a clinic there.. was sitting opposite the dr a fair way away and told him my dr couldn't see it... "Well i can see it from here, it's huge' said the Dr in this clinic; i had the special xray and back home had lump and right side of thyroid removed.
I am grateful for the good drs i have seen but some of them, well...... enough words said! (although I have some more horror sotries as in not being diagnozed for a cancer that had all the symptoms)!! as they say, rant over!
thanks again for all the hints, J.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Mar 21, 2021

@,lacy2 Hi back from Walgreens Got the Oral gel.Lori suggested it's not only a debrider but analgesic I like it. Don't listen to those Dr,s You know if you have dry mouth,eyes even my nose is dry.I just bought more dry eye drops and lubricant for nighttime use..I can't do orange juice or tomato sauce of any kind it's the acid that bothers me probably you also so I avoid them as well as fried food 🥺 I think my mouth is on the mend now thanks to Lori

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Mar 21, 2021
In reply to @loribmt "@lioness. Ugh, mouth sores are so painful. Are these canker sores? Besides warm saltwater rinses or..." + (show)
@loribmt

@lioness. Ugh, mouth sores are so painful. Are these canker sores? Besides warm saltwater rinses or sucking on iced chips, there are a couple of over the counter rinses that can help. Orajel and Gly-oxide. Unfortunately if they’re aphthous ulcers, which are recurrent canker sores, they’re viral and not much can be done. They’re self limiting but miserable until they disappear.

Jump to this post

@loribmt I bought the Oragel and used it mouth feels much better I like it has mint in it for pain Thanks again

REPLY
1 reply
Valerie | @lacy2 | Mar 21, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@,lacy2 Hi back from Walgreens Got the Oral gel.Lori suggested it's not only a debrider but..." + (show)
@lioness

@,lacy2 Hi back from Walgreens Got the Oral gel.Lori suggested it's not only a debrider but analgesic I like it. Don't listen to those Dr,s You know if you have dry mouth,eyes even my nose is dry.I just bought more dry eye drops and lubricant for nighttime use..I can't do orange juice or tomato sauce of any kind it's the acid that bothers me probably you also so I avoid them as well as fried food 🥺 I think my mouth is on the mend now thanks to Lori

Jump to this post

oh good lioness that your mouth is on the mend, yes we have a few things in common.... i forgot i had some Dequadins in cupboard so sucked on one today as dont want to get infection where the tooth was, bothered me for 2 hours during night but i know will take a while to heal... Dequadins have been around forever, but no instant relief..and a bit grainy.... yes need a bit of analgesic when so sore. i pushed myself and made some plain soup today felt good accomplishing something but know something isnt right with me. anyway, just chicken stock from bones, potatoes, carrots and a little bit onion... was easy to swallow trying to keep it away from right side ... i shoved the spuds and carrots through tube on little food processor so wasnt hard... plus its sunny today. daughter arrived home safe from drive from toronto, 4 horus so happy of course, now son in law driving TO Toronto for work but highways are clear of snow. Yes good advice from LORI. ;-D

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 21, 2021

@lacy2 I still use salt water about 3times a day followed by baking soda water .Always good to see our children ,be safe

REPLY
Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Mar 21, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@loribmt I bought the Oragel and used it mouth feels much better I like it has..." + (show)
@lioness

@loribmt I bought the Oragel and used it mouth feels much better I like it has mint in it for pain Thanks again

Jump to this post

@lioness I’m so happy the Oragel is working for you! Mouth sores are horrible to deal with. Speaking, eating, swallowing...it’s all affected! I bit my tongue the other day while eating! Crazy how much that little nip hurts!

A suggestion for when you have impressions taken. You’ll have an assistant taking them. Make sure you tell her that you have a very dry mouth and then really goop up on your lips with some chapstick, Burts bees lip balm, Carmex or Vaseline before inserting the trays. Inserting the trays will stretch your lips a bit so doing that ahead of time will keep your lips soft. Also, ask for a couple sips of water to swish in your mouth right before they take the impressions too. That will help you.

A trick to tolerating the impressions is to relax and remember to breath through your nose. As an assistant, I made sure to rhythmically breathe so that my patient could hear me and encourage them to breath through their noses. It kept their focus and made the time pass quickly during the impression. ☺️

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Mar 21, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@ess77 Thanks I sure hope these suggestions from Lorimt help" + (show)
@lioness

@ess77 Thanks I sure hope these suggestions from Lorimt help

Jump to this post

@lioness Nothing like putting the pressure on me. LOL. I guess after 32 years working with one of the best dentists in my city, I picked up a few useful tidbits. 🤣

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