Drinking coffee without my dentures in my mouth

Kamál (Perfection), 2 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Monday, September 28, 2009 about 7:47 AM Pacific Time

I'm not sure why I don't put my dentures in first thing in the morning. Perhaps it's because I'm still getting used to them. Perhaps it's because I need to go into the dentist for another adjustment. Perhaps it's because I can't seem to do anything complicated before my first cup of coffee in the morning.

Anyway, I've found out there are certain things I can accomplish without my teeth in my mouth. I can say prayers and I can drink coffee. The problem with drinking coffee without my dentures is that sometimes my coffee runs down my chin. I suspect there are other disadvantages to not putting my dentures in the first thing in the morning and I'm looking forward to finding out what they are. After all, life is an adventure and I'm going to treat the rest of my life as an adventure.

Friday at Last

Istiqlál (Independence), 18 ‘Izzat (Might), 166 BE – Friday, September 25, 2009 about 4:43 AM Pacific Time

When I was a child, Friday seemed a bigger deal then it does today. Perhaps it had to do with being out of school for two days and visiting my grandparents. We stayed with Grandma and Grandpa on the weekends. That's one advantage of living in the same town with one set of grandparents, you can see them more then once a year.

I remember weekends as special, perhaps because we (my brothers, sister and me) spent them with my grandparents. I don't think we did things differently then we did at home. In spring and summer, Grandpa took us to the Lake; I think it was staying with my grandparents that made the weekends special.

The weekends don't seem special anymore. Friday isn't as exciting as when I was a child. I think I'm in a rut. Today I plan to go to the bank, withdraw some money and pay a bill. Wednesday I went to the bank and did the same thing. Thursday I went to the dentist to get my lower dentures adjusted again. Friday just doesn't seem special anymore.

Another Day Another Adjustment

Kamál (Perfection), 3 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Monday, August 3, 2009 about 3:06 PM Pacific Time

I went to the dentist this morning and had my lower plate adjusted again. The sore spot was on the right side this time instead of the left side. I'm going to eat with the plate in for the next few days and see how it goes. I'm also rinsing my mouth out with salt water a couple of time a day.

I know that eventually I'll get used to the dentures. I know that eventually I'll be able to eat anything I want. I haven't had the dentures very long and it takes a while to adjust to the lower plate. Everyone I've talked to say there are issues getting used to the lower plate. It's just a matter of patience and persistence.

My denture adhesive doesn’t hold all day

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 Kalimát (Words), 166 BE – Friday, July 24, 2009 about 5:08 Pacific Time

All right, everyone is probably getting tired of reading about my problems with my dentures. If they are I hope they are taking better care of their teeth and gums then I did. A person's natural teeth are always better to eat with and after the permanent teeth come in there isn't any getting used to them.

The denture adhesive I use works find with my upper plate. It's the lower plate that gives me problems. Perhaps I need another adjustment or maybe I'm not applying the adhesive properly. I'll have to read the instructions again.

I don't like using the adhesive, but I don't know any other way to hold my plate in place. I'll decide next Wednesday if I have to go to the dentist for another adjustment. After the last adjustment, my gums aren't sore and I can eat most foods. The problem is I'm having trouble with sandwiches. So it could be just learning to deal with the lower plate.

I had blueberry bagels for breakfast

Jamál (Beauty), 7 Kalimát (Words), 166 BE – Sunday, July 19, 2009 about 7:14 PM Pacific Time

I'm getting used to my lower plate. It's getting easier to eat with the teeth in my mouth. The last dental adjustment seemed to do the trick. This morning for breakfast I ate a blueberry bagel. I cut the bagel in half and toasted it. Then I cut each half into four pieces and put butter on each piece.

It wasn't easy, but I did eat the entire bagel. I even managed to bite one of the pieces in half. I'm improving. I'm getting used to my dentures. I'm learning to eat again. Right now, I'm eating crackers. The crackers seem a bit easier to deal with because I break them into small pieces and eat one piece at a time. I can even bite a piece off the cracker if I want.

Midweek reflections on Dentures

It's Wednesday, hump day and time for midweek reflections. It's time to look back over the past three days and evaluate the happenings. I could reflect on many things because it's been an eventful week. However, I'm going to reflect on my dentures.

Dentures are necessary because without teeth eating is difficult. In fact, if you don't have teeth you can eat only soft things like milk toast and applesauce. I like both, but not as a study diet, I also like prime rib and French toast.

I'm thankful that I have my dentures. True having all my teeth pulled and the dentures put in was a test. Another test is getting used to the dentures and learning to eat with them. I'm still learning to use the lower dentures. I'm having difficulty eating with the lower plate in my mouth.

I'm going to the dentist Thursday morning at 8:00 AM to for another adjustment on my lower plate. I'm going to learn to eat with the lower dentures. Once the dentures are adjusted to my satisfaction, then I will go to one of the local restaurants and have prime rib.

My grandmother wore dentures and ate almost anything she wanted. True Grandma did peel and slice her apples, but I have to do that myself. If Grandma could learn to use dentures and enjoy her food then I can.

I had my lower plate adjusted today

Istijlál (Majesty), 9 Rahmat (Mercy), 166 BE – Thursday, July 2, 2009 about 5:40 PM Pacific Time

I had my lower plate adjusted today. I haven't be able to eat with it very well, so I went to the dentist at 8:00 AM. After having it adjusted, we went out to eat breakfast. I had an easier time eating this morning, after the adjustment, then yesterday afternoon. I don't know if I'll have to have it adjusted again or not. I'll know that after Saturday.

I'm going to a 4th of July barbecue on Saturday. I'll see how eating goes that day. I think I'll put the dental adhesive on the plate before going to the barbecue. I don't use the adhesive on the upper plate anymore, but I do use it on the lower plate sometimes. Life is an adventure and learning to eat again with my false teeth is becoming an adventure.

I'm having difficulties getting used to my lower plate

‘Idál (Justice), 11 ‘Azamat (Grandeur), 166 BE – Wednesday, May 27, 2009 about 4:17 PM Pacific Time

I'm having difficulties getting used to my lower plate. The upper dentures didn't give me any problems at all. True the upper plate gets loose sometimes, but that has more to do with my gums shrinking then anything else.

My lower plate is giving me problems. Even when I put something in to hold them I have problems chewing some foods. I can eat a sandwich, but I have to cut it up so that I can put small pieces in my mouth. All right, so my denture problems aren't really what people want to read about.

If anyone is reading this, who still has his or her natural teeth, I suggest you take care of them. Make an appointment with the dentist, have your teeth cleaned and have any cavities filled. Brush your teeth three times a day with toothpaste that protects your teeth and gums. If I had know getting used to dentures was this difficult, I would have taken better care of my teeth then I did.

It's too late for me to keep my original teeth. The only thing I can do now is put my dentures in the soaking solution and then brush. As for my gums, they are healing nicely. I rinse about three times a day with hot salt water to heal the gums. I have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow morning for a soft line of my lower plate. I do hope that takes care of part of the problem of getting used to the plate.

I’m back and with a full set of dentures

Istiqlál (Independence), 11 Jamál (Beauty), 166 BE – Friday, May 8, 2009 about 5:03 PM Pacific Time

Yesterday, Thursday, May 7, the dentist extracted the other four teeth in my lower jaw and put the rest of my dentures in my mouth. I described part of the experience in More Snow Melt my writing.com blog. The title of the entry is be careful what you wish for. So if you want to read it go ahead, be aware that the rating of that particular blog has a rating of 18+.

I have a full set of dentures, which I will get used to over the next few days. Today the dentist said to wear them two hours and then extend them by an hour each day. That's all right with me, since eating is a bit of a problem right now. My gums are healing and I can't use anything to hold the dentures in until the gums are healed.

Today I'm eating unsweetened applesauce, which I'm not crazy about. However, that is what I took out of the cupboard. Since Mom can't eat applesauce at all, I'm going to have to eat all that we have in the house, which is a lot. I think later I will a eat another can of applesauce, but mix it with yogurt. I like yogurt and it ought to give an interesting flavor to the applesauce. Of course, after my gums heal I may never want to eat applesauce again, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.

I'm also rinsing my mouth with warm salt water about five times a day. The salt water helps the gums to heal and I'm looking forward to the gums healing. After my gums are healed then the dentist will line them. At that time, Mom and I are going out for prime rib with raw horseradish sauce. The raw horseradish is for me, Mom eats the other kind.

Unfortunately, my gums won't be healed by Mothers' Day, so the only thing I'm eating when we go out is an ice cream desert. I doubt that I could handle much else since my lower plate wants to move in my mouth. Fortunately, I can still drink coffee.

The dentist office postponed my dental appointment

Fidál (Grace), 4 Bahá (Splendor), 166 BE – Monday-Tuesday, March 24, 2009 about 11:10 AM Pacific Time

The receptionist called this morning when I was in the bathtub and said the dentist called in. I'm not sure exactly when my teeth are going to be pulled, but it wasn't today. The appointment scheduler will call and give me a time for the new appointment.

I'm still looking forward to getting my lower teeth pulled and the rest of my dentures put in. Once I have that done then we're going out for prime rib. I'm looking forward to eating my favorite meal with a new set of dentures.

I'm not sure precisely where we will go for prime rib just yet. Las Vegas has several restaurants I can choose from and it's going to be a difficult choice. I guess I need to call the restaurants and see how much the prime rib dinners cost. It's been over a year since I went out for prime rib so I don't know the exact price.

Since I have a lot of writing, housework and other stuff to catch up, it's probably just as well the dental appointment was postponed. When my teeth are pulled, I'll return home, take some pain pills and go to sleep, which will cause me to be even further behind on the projects I'm working on right now.

Monday February 9 is Toothache Day

Jamál (Beauty), 2 Mulk (Dominion), 165 BE – Sunday, February 8, 2009 about 1:17 PM Pacific Time

Monday, February 9, is Toothache Day. This is the day to educate yourself about the causes of toothaches and tooth decay. I wish I had known about this day earlier in my life because then I could have learned more about teeth, toothaches and tooth care.

As it is, after February 19 I am not going to have to worry about having a toothache any more. The dentist is pulling my remaining bottom teeth and the other half of my dentures put in. However, for those of you who still have all their teeth, I suggest you commemorate this day by making a dental appointment.

Make a dental appointment or an appointment to have your teeth cleaned. Then learn how you can save your teeth. Encourage your children to brush their teeth so that they can keep their teeth all their lives. They will thank you for it when the do not have to learn to use dentures.

Dentures are not difficult to get used to, there are, however, some adjustments that must be made. For instance, I cannot eat whole apples, carrots or some other raw vegetables without cutting them up into tiny pieces or cooking them. I enjoy raw vegetables, especially raw onions, which I normally do not eat unless I am going to stay home for the entire day.

Commemorate Toothache Day, but learning how you can avoid toothaches. I remember my Grandmother encouraging us to brush our teeth after every meal and every snack. She especially encouraged us to brush after having candy or ice cream of any kind.

My Mother Got Her Dentures Yesterday

‘Idál (Justice), 11 Qawl (Speech), 165 B.E. – Wednesday, December 3, 2008 about 4:28 PM Pacific Time

I didn't work yesterday because I had to take off to get Mom to the dentist. She got her new dentures and she tells me they feel good. It's nice to see her smile again. She didn't smile much with her old set because there were some teeth missing and she just never got them fixed. However, she smiles now and she has a beautiful smile.

I have a dentist appointment on December 9, to have my upper teeth pulled and a set of dentures put in. I'm going to work that morning and then go to the dentist in the afternoon. My appointment is for 1:00 PM and it will take two hours. I'm planning on going to work the next day. I don't car how bad the pain is, I'm still going to work. At least, those are my plans today; come December 9 at 4:00 PM I may change my mind.

I don't know why I would change my mind because I'm used to pain now. My right knee still hurts and it hurts worse on these cold nights. However, pain in the knee is different from pain in the mouth. I doubt that I'll change my mind because December 12 is my last day of work for this semester and this year. I'll have three weeks off without a paycheck. Oh well, the important thing is Mom has her new teeth and I will have part of mine next week.

My Next Dental Appointment

I had a dental appointment this morning and the dentist show me what my new teeth will look like. My next appointment is December 6, at that time my top teeth will be pulled and the dentures put in. Then after the gums heal, the dentist will pull my bottom and those dentures put in.

I am hoping to have a full set of dentures by New Years 2009. It would be nice if I could get them before December 24, 2008. A new set of teeth would be a nice birthday present.

Thoughts on an Autumn Afternoon

Fidál (Grace), 16 ‘Izzat (Might), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, September 23, 2008 5:34 PM Pacific Time

What is it about fall,
which bring to mind the joy
of my grandmother's homemade soup.

I have soup working in the slow cooker. To make it I mixed chicken broth with another soup mix. This isn't how Grandma Newland made soup. This isn't the way she taught me to make soup. Grandma made soup from scratch, without a recipe. I usually followed a recipe when I made soup from scratch.

Now, however, I don't make soup that way. When I make soup I either open a can or I use soup mixes and work from there. I don't think it taste like the soup Grandma made, but this is the way I cook any more. This is just soup, the kind I can put in a mug and drink.

I'm having my teeth extracted and it's difficult to chew. Lately I've noticed that I don't feel well after I eat. I think it's because I'm not chewing my food properly. The last time I went to the dentist, he pulled the teeth I used to chew with. I'm going to go on a liquid diet until I have my dentures. After the dentist puts my dentures in and my gums aren't soar anymore, then I'll eat solid food.

I miss my teeth

Jalál (Glory), 6 ‘Izzat (Might), 165 B.E. – Saturday, September 13, 2008 about 6:13 PM Pacific Time

I miss my teeth. I never thought I would say that, but I miss the teeth that the dentist pulled on Monday. I didn't have very many teeth left in my mouth before he extracted the four teeth in my right upper jaw. Now that the teeth are gone, I miss them.

I miss those teeth. I miss them because I chewed on that side of my mouth. Most of my lower teeth were gone. In addition, most of the teeth on the other side of my mouth were gone or in such bad condition that I couldn't chew with them. Now that the teeth I used most often to chew with, it is difficult to eat anything except soup.

Not that I limit myself to soup, I still eat anything I want, it's just that it's a little more difficult to chew without those teeth. I have another appointment with the dentist in a week or so. The dentist will pull more teeth then. I didn't ask whether my dentures would be ready or not. I guess I should have, but I didn't think there would be that big a difference in eating.

Another thing I've noticed about the missing teeth. I have more of a tendency to drool in my sleep. All right, that is probably a lot more information then anyone reading this entry wants to know. I will be so glad when I get my dentures that I'm going to celebrate by having prime rib.

Both my grandparents had dentures. I didn't ask them what it was like having their teeth pulled and the dentures put in. When I was growing up, the last thing on my mind was my teeth or the conditions of my gums. This may be why I have to have all my teeth pulled and dentures put in.

It Rained yesterday afternoon

Fidál (Grace), 2 ‘Izzat (Might), 165 B.E. – Tuesday, September 9, 2008 about 5:31 AM Pacific Time

It rained yesterday afternoon. Mom and I went to the dentist about 12:45 PM on Monday, September 8. My appointment was at 1:00 PM and Mom's was at 2:00 PM. I had impressions taken for dentures and four teeth pulled, while Mom had fillings. We got home around 3:00 PM.

When we arrived home it was clouding up, so I rolled the windows up in the car. At least I think I rolled the windows up. By the time we got home the Novocain was wearing off and I was in extreme pain, but I think I remember rolling up the windows in my car. I always roll up the windows in my car when I get home, so I doubt that yesterday was any different.

I was in too much pain to concentrate on anything, so I took a prescription pain pill and went to bed. While I was laying there, I heard thunder and rain drops, I didn't get up to look out the window because the pain medication hadn't kicked in when I heard the sound of rain. The pain meds finally kicked in and I went to sleep.

I don't know precisely what time I went to sleep, but I do know what time I woke up. I woke up at 8:55 PM because when I got into the living room and looked at the clock it was 9:00 P.M. That's right, I got up at 9:00 last night and I've been up almost all night. I did take a nap about 11:00 PM and while my virus scan, checked my hard drive. I sit down on the couch and slept for about an hour.

I'm not in pain, so I won't take another pain pill. I don't see any sense in taking a pain pill, especially a prescribed one unless I absolutely need it. I still have ten more teeth to come out and a full set of dentures to go in my mouth. Therefore, I may need more of te meds before all my teeth are pulled and the dentures go in.

I went to the dentist today

Kamál (Perfection), 7 Rahmat (Mercy), 165 BE – Monday, June 30, 2008 about 5:59 PM PDT

I went to the dentist today. I have good news and I have bad news. The good news first, I am going to get a complete set of new teeth. The bad new, I have to have all (or rather what is left) of my natural teeth extracted. For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to going to the dentist. For the first time in my life, I am looking forward to having teeth pulled.

I am excited. I am going to enjoy my new teeth. I am going to say good-bye to my natural teeth. I am not worried about having problems with my new dentures, because both my grandparents had a full set of dentures and they had no problems at all. My grandmother always took her teeth out and put them in a glass at night. My grandfather did not take his teeth out at night. He took them out and brushed them every morning and evening, but he slept with them in his mouth.

I am not sure how to say good-bye to my natural teeth. I think I will write a poem and a story about them. After I get my new teeth, I am going to take them out on a date. When I get my new teeth, I am going out for prime rib.

Teeth in a glass sounds like a good name for a poem. Dating my dentures sounds like a good name for a story. All right, I am having fun with this. My mother always told me not to play with my food, but she never said anything about playing with my teeth.