I miss going to the movies

Kamál (Perfection), 8 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Monday, August 8, 2011 about 7:10 PM Pacific Time

It has been over a year since I went out to a movie. It has been so long since I saw a movie that I do not remember the name of the last movie I saw. I think it may have been a Lord of the Rings movie, but I am not sure.

I have not been to a movie since I got my dentures. I want to go to a movie, buy a bag of buttered popcorn, a large soda, and a chocolate candy bar. I can describe eating those items with my natural teeth, but not with my dentures. All right, it has been so long since I went to a movie I am looking for an excuse to spend the money and see a movie. The next thing I need to do is to decide what movie I want to see.

Denture adhesives and my lower dentures

Jamál (Beauty), 4 Rahmat (Mercy), 167 BE – Sunday, June 27, 2010 about 8:09 AM Pacific Time

I do not have problems with denture adhesives holding my upper dentures in place. It is the lower dentures that are the problem. I have decided to go back to a denture adhesive cream for a few weeks. I am not sure that the new zinc free formulas will my lower dentures in place any better then anything else, but I am willing to try it.

I am tired of attempting to eat a meal without my lower dentures. The only place I can do this is at home because it is difficult to take my dentures out of my mouth in public. Removing the lower dentures in a restaurant without other customers noticing is impossible. Therefore, I can only order soup; I can eat soup at home when I go to a restaurant I want to order something I cannot make at home.

The Last Saturday in 2009

Jalál (Glory), 15 Masá’il (Questions), 166 BE – Saturday, December 26, 2009 about 4:34 PM

It's the last Saturday in 2009, an interesting and stressful year not as stressful as 2007 or 2008, but stressful none the less. I have a complete set of new dentures and still getting used to them. The dentures still feel alien in my mouth, I know that isn't a good description, but that's how they feel.

I eat just about anything I want; however, the dentures have slowed me down a bit. Actually I'm enjoying the taste of food better with the dentures then I did with my natural teeth. I still have issues with the bottom dentures moving around in my mouth, but I'm handling it. I usually just slow down a bit when that happens.

The problem is I can't find a denture adhesives that I can use and still hold the bottom dentures in place. I'm going to try something new this next week and see if that works, if it doesn't work then I'll just have to get used to the dentures moving around. I'll just have to take smaller bits and chew slower.

Tests, Difficulties and Dentures

Jalál (Glory), 9 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Saturday, October 24, 2009 about 2:24 PM Pacific Time

I found out long ago that life is full of tests and difficulties, which assist in the development of my soul. These tests and difficulties help me develop spiritual attributes. These tests and difficulties come in expected and unexpected ways.

I never expected to encounter difficulties with my dentures. The problem I have is the denture adhesive; I have not found a denture adhesive I can use. I have to accept the possibility that I may not be able to use safely any type of adhesive to hold my dentures. If that is the case, I am going to have to learn to use my dentures without an adhesive.

The problems I am having with my dentures is to help me develop a spiritual attribute. I am not sure which spiritual attribute, but probably persistence. I still have a couple of different types of denture adhesives to try. I am also learning how to eat again; I am learning to chew my food slowly. One advantage of chewing slowly is enjoying the taste of the food.

I bought some Halloween cookies

Jalál (Glory), 14 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Saturday, October 10, 2009 about 1:59 PM Pacific Time

I bought a tray of two dozen Halloween cookies yesterday. The cookies are chocolate and vanilla decorated like carved pumpkins. There are enough cookies to last several days because the only one's in the house are my mother and myself.

I had two cookies for breakfast this morning. I found one disadvantage to having false teeth and eating cookies. I can't seem to bit off a piece of the cookie. I think the issues is getting used to the dentures and I'm sure I won't have this problem very long.

I solve the problem this morning by dunking my cookies in my coffee. I like to dunk my cookies in coffee, so not being able to bit off a piece of cookie isn't a problem. Dunking a cookie in coffee changes the taste of the cookie and the coffee.

Chocolate cookies
and hot coffee for breakfast
morning happiness.

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.

The Feast of Mashiyyat (Will)

Jamál (Beauty), 1 Mashiyyat (Will), 166 BE – Sunday, September 27, 2009 about 3:57 PM Pacific Time

Mom and I attended the Feast of Mashiyyat (Will) last night. The feast was spiritual and the reading were beautiful. I did have a little problem with my dentures when I was reading. This is the first time this has happened, my dentures shifted in my mouth while I was reading. Normally, the shift or move around when I am eating, but not when I am reading aloud.

Thinking about it, I have to admit it was humorous. After spiritual and business portion of the Feast came to social portion. The dentures stayed in place while I ate a couple of pieces of cantaloupe. Of course, I took small bites and ate slowly. I have found that is the best approach to the denture issue when eating. Now all I have to do is figure out what to do when the dentures shift while I am talking or reading.

I am not going to stop attending the nineteen-day Feast or agreeing to read when asked. I just have to figure out what to do about the denture issue. Perhaps I am using the wrong type of denture adhesive; maybe I should be using a powder instead of the type I am using.

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.

A peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast

Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Friday, August 28, 2009 about 8:00 AM Pacific Time

It's time for breakfast, I took my thyroid table over an hour ago now it's time to eat. This morning, I'm fixing one or two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat. I still don't have denture adhesive in the house I can use. However, I'm not going to let that stop me from enjoying a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

It's been a difficult morning, so I need a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Babying myself because my lower denture plate moves around in my mouth when I eat isn't going to make the morning or the day less difficult. This morning, I'll make myself two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, one sandwich with grape jelly and one with strawberry preserves.

Midweek reflections on my Dentures

‘Idál (Justice), 7 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Wednesday, August 26, 2009 about 8:31 AM Pacific Time

It's Wednesday and time for midweek reflections. Time to review the past three days to see what changes are required. It's been a stressful three days, I expect the next three days to be just as stressful. My stomach and/or ulcer hasn't acted up for three days, I'm beginning to suspect the problem isn't my ulcer.

The past three days I haven't used the denture adhesive to prevent my teeth from moving around in my mouth. The bottom plate gives me a problem when I eat because it moves and slips. I have eaten almost anything I want, but I've had to take my bottom plate out.

I can't continue taking the bottom plate out when I eat. At home that's fine, but when I go out to eat it's a problem. I can't use the denture adhesive I have because it causes me to feel ill. My stomach hurts after I've had the adhesive in for a while. I'm going to have to figure out someway to keep my bottom plate from slipping when I chew without using the adhesive.

Afternoon nap

Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Asmá’ (Names), 166 BE – Friday, August 21, 2009 about 4:30 PM Pacific Time

I took a nap. It wasn't a long nap just about an hour, but I feel refreshed. Before the nap, I was sitting at the computer and I could hardly keep my eyes open. So I turned the computer off, took my teeth out and went to bed. Before I went to sleep, I said prayers.

I'm not sure whether I dreamed or not. I suspect I probably, but I don't remember the dreams. Sometimes, I remember the dreams that accompany my afternoon naps and sometimes I don't. I suppose if I took a nap more often I'd remember my dreams.

I have to go put my teeth in again. When I woke up I came directly to the computer without stopping to put my teeth in my mouth. I always took my teeth out when I lay down for a nap or when I go to sleep at night.

Sometimes I set on the couch or love seat and doze. I don't take my teeth out then because I don't sleep for more then five minutes. However, laying down for an afternoon nap is different because I usually sleep for more then thirty minutes. My afternoon naps usually last about an hour, perhaps a little more. I think today's nap lasted about an hour and a half.

Sleep refreshes the
mind and body like prayer
refreshes the soul.

An afternoon nap
allows my mind to relax
the day goes better.

The first Tuesday in August 2009

Fidál (Grace), 4 Kamál (Perfection), 166 BE – Tuesday, August 4, 2009 about 6:09 AM Pacific Time

It's the first Tuesday in August 2009 and the morning sky is mostly cloudy, with a few patches of blue sky peeking through. I awake about 4:50 AM in a good mood. True my knees hurt, but my knees always hurt when I wake up in the morning. It has to do with sleeping curled up in the fetal position. My knees hurt when I stretch my legs out in the morning.

I've said my morning prayers. My mother is awake and getting ready for her day. I haven't made coffee yet, which is unusual. However, I was thirsty this morning so instead of making coffee immediately, I drink water. I rinsed my mouth out with salt water last night before I went to bed, so I think that's why I'm thirsty this morning.

The first Tuesday in August started out well. I haven't put in a load of laundry yet, but I will do that when I go into the kitchen to make coffee. I think I'll have eggs today for breakfast and perhaps toast as well. All though, the toast I'm not sure about since my gums are still sore from my false plate. I had the plate adjusted yesterday and the sore spot on my gums hasn't healed yet.

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 have a coupon for a Jalapeno Burger

‘Idál (Justice), 10 Kalimát (Words), 166 BE – Wednesday, July 22, 2009 about 4:56 AM Pacific Time

I have a coupon for a Jalapeno burger from Carl's Jr. It's a two for one coupon, so Mom and I can both have one. My lower dentures work well most of the time; I haven't had a sandwich like this since I received my lower plate. This is a milestone; I will see how well my plate stays in place when I eat the sandwich.

The goop I use to hold the plate in works most of the time. Since I don't see any reason to baby myself any more, I'm going to go to Carl's Jr. and buy the Jalapeno burger. The main problem the last few weeks the last adjustment took care of. Once I have the burger then I'll know if I need to have the lower plate adjusted again.

My grandmother had a full set of dentures and she ate almost anything she wanted to without any problems. I remember watching her eat hamburgers and other sandwiches with her dentures without her bottom plate slipping. Actually, the only thing Grandma didn't eat with her dentures was whole apples. She had to peel the apples and cut them up because she couldn't handle the apple's peeling. The peeling got stuck in her throat and she would choke. I have to do the same way for the same reason, so I don't think peeling an apple to eat counts when it comes t getting used to dentures.

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 learning to eat again

I have a full set of teeth again, both uppers and lowers. I'm learning to eat again. I'm getting used to my lower plate. It's still difficult to eat sometimes because my lower plate slips. I don't know what to do about that.

I have goop to hold the dentures in place, but it doesn't always hold my lower plate. I've talked to other people about the problem. They all tell me that it's just something one has to learn to live with, so I guess that's what I will do.

I don't know whether it's a good idea to use the goop, the glue to hold only the lower plate in place. I know there are probably dangers in using the stuff. I haven't investigated the dangers yet so I guess that is the next research on my list. However, I don't have to investigate to know there is some danger involved. Everything one does or uses in life has some danger attached to it that's just part of living.

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.