It sounds like you did everything right and still ended up with a plate full of issues. I often wonder if later on our issues go away or we just get so used to them that they seem normal and therefore disappear in our mind rather than in our body. I too chew for a long time and am often the last to finish a meal.
My biggest complaint is medications which come in the size of horse pills sometimes. I tell the pharmacist I cannot swallow such things. Do they have similar in smaller size where I can take twice as much or perhaps liquid? I am often met with bewildered stares.
Believe it or not, in my case and others, things may continue to improve as the years go by. Either like I said we get used to the issues, or perhaps its age, or actual real improvement. Ten or more years out seems to be a better mark. It took that long or perhaps longer before I could sleep through the night without getting up to relieve dry mouth or wake up from choking due to lack of saliva.
I wish some day folks like us could get together for a big group hug because some days we all could sure use one. In the meantime, please continue to post your experiences and your help with new patients or their caregivers. Your input and assistance is very much appreciated.
Your last line paraphrases Oliver Cromwell to wit: "Believe in God but keep your (gun)powder dry."
Bill