Well I'm starting the New Year off with soft foods

[The empressof all]

I had half my teeth pulled yesterday. The other half are going on Tuesday. I've fought the good fight for them for the past 30 years but the time finally arrived to say goodbye. So I'm enjoying oatmeal and some homemade cauliflower soup today. I defrosted some of the applesauce I made in September and bought the "good" greek yogurt.

I'm going to make a 15 bean soup with the ham bone today so I thought I probably could puree a bit of that for dinner.

Anyone have any brilliant suggestions for me?

[grasswire]

1. you're such a good cook that it won't be as hard...

...as it would be for someone who has to buy baby food in jars to make it through.

How many days of this, do you think?

Good thing it's soup weather! That helps a lot. If you get meat hungry you could always puree some, I guess. And if you get veggie hungry there's always V-8.

Best wishes. I'll be thinking about you.

[Warpy]

2. Once your gums heal a bit more

You'll be surprised what you can gum, like veggie and noodle soups. It won't all have to be pureed, although I'd strongly discourage steaks and chops.

The real revelation will come when you don't have a mouthful of bad teeth killing you with pain and expenses.

I fought as long and hard as you did, but with Sjogren's, it's a losing battle. I now have fake ones and it's the best thing I ever did.

If you've got good teeth with just an occasional problem, definitely do the heroics to keep them.

If you've got a mouthful of expensive agony, dentures are not the end of the world.

[hippywife]

3. Aw, sweetie!

I bet you can do those beans without having to puree, depending on how sore your gums are. Bet you can manage some cornbread, too.

I still have my teeth, thankfully, and I am trying hard to keep them. If only my gums will cooperate.

Try to have a good dinner. :hug:

[The empressof all]

4. It's a great excuse to load up on carbs I usually avoid

I'm making Asparagus Risotto tomorrow! I haven't made it in years and although I'll do a bit of suffering afterwards I'm taking pain killers already so I'm going for the gusto!

[tigereye]

7. mm, risotto

[Warpy]

8. Pasta is also good, especially if it's a bit overcooked

Are your new teeth being fitted right after the last extractions? That's usually the best way to do it, and you'll be astonished by how fast you acclimate to teeth that don't hurt all the time.

[EFerrari]

5. How are you feeling, empress?

I can't believe you're cooking today. :hug:

[tigereye]

6. please feel better!

I remember making lots of fruit smoothies when I had some trouble with my teeth. :hug:

[Tesha]

9. brilliant suggestions?

the best thing for you is to take the pain meds...:cry: oh, I feel your pain...

smooth and cool was what I wanted when I had a bunch of teeth removed,
I think you're on the right track with applesauce and yogurt,
italian ice, ice cream or milkshakes (no straws) would be nice too.


oh, feel better soon... :hug:

[Phentex]

10. Speedy recovery!

I've been thinking about that 15 bean soup lately myself. I was going to suggest a cauliflower soup but you're already there.

Maybe you can live off chocolate mousse for a bit? :)

[cbayer]

11. Ouch!!! Hope you are feeling better soon. I recommend grits with cheese -

hot, filling and delicious.

:hug:

[Fire1]

12. Blended cottage cheese and fruit is always good. Also,

baked or boiled sweet potatoes, peeled and blended with sugar, vanilla, a little butter and a dash of cinnamon. Really good.

[Jazzgirl]

13. Empress, did they pull the top teeth first and finishing

Tuesday with the bottom? I had all my teeth taken out many years ago. Something about Springfield, MO and young people....their teeth didn't hold up very well. Anyway, the dentist pulled my top teeth first but he slapped in the top denture. It acted as a bandaid. BTW. your food suggestions should be fine. :-)

On edit: I had beautiful teeth after wearing braces for four years. 10 years later they were all gone......

[Warpy]

14. Wow, I managed to hang onto mine for 40 years

after the braces came off, but with partial plates of increasing size since I knew root canals didn't work all that well with Sjogren's.

Getting the last ones out was absolutely wonderful. I know we're supposed to be ashamed or something over having fake teeth, but nothing in this world is as bad as a mouth full of crumbling, bad teeth.

On edit: I lived on yogurt and canned pastas for the first couple of weeks, mostly because I was on the road. After that, I was fine and haven't looked back.

[Jazzgirl]

16. Warpy, I am not the least bit ashamed of my teeth!

I paid a lot of money for them. I have four implants to hold my bottom plate steady. I think of what I felt like before I got them all pulled. Unfortunately, I was one of many people in Springfield that had dental problems. It was weird because I hadn't had a cavity since I was 14 years old. The bone around my teeth began to dissolve. At 28 the dentist told me if he was just looking at x-rays he would've sworn my mouth was the mouth of a 60 year old. At least I don't have to worry about it anymore.

[Warpy]

17. I had great gums and great bones and terrible teeth

I use glue but think implants might be in my future. The glue works just fine for now.

But you're right, they're paid for and I'm not ashamed of them. Notice I did say "supposed" to be ashamed. Less than perfection in this country is often unforgiveable.

I'd still rather deal with the occasional idiot rather than a head full of painful teeth.

[pengillian101]

18. Implants with dentures question.

How do implants work with dentures? I never heard of that. Is that for when the dentures don't fit right?

I ask, because I'm due to have my own top dentures very soon and wonder about the fit.

[The empressof all]

24. I decided against getting the metal spikes for now.

I saw two oral surgeons and read quite a bit about all the options. The metal spikes hold the dentures in place and can help to make a better fit. Strangely enough I knew two people who had the metal implants in the past six months who had mega problems with them. Although I'm not normally superstitious I decided to wait to see if I could manage without them. Talk to your Dentist. I think successful and comfortable seating of a lower plate has to do with how much bone you have down there. From what I have learned so far the fit of the plates involve some adjustments and relinings. I've been told it's a six month process.

[Jazzgirl]

26. Sorry I'm just seeing this today pengillian.

The implants are made of titanium. It took me two years to get them implanted because of the cost. I could only afford two at a time. Once the implants are imbedded they make a new denture with caps implanted to match the position of the implants in your gums. The denture snaps on the implants and they stay in place. In other words, no accidentally "tonguing" your denture out, LOL!

[pengillian101]

28. Thanks for the info.

Ok, thanks I think I understand. Sounds like I'd never do it. I am such a big wimp. I have had so much painful dental work done in my life that I am just white-knuckled about it.

Just the thought of implanting (pounding) metal spikes into jawbone sounds very unpleasant. I think I'll pass, but will wait and see, eh? Gads, why did I let my dental health get to this point I wonder. Oh ya, no dental insurance.

[kestrel91316]

15. Pureed vegetable soups like vichysoisse and butternut squash soup would be nice.

You could be declasse and crumble cheap saltines into them if they are too toney as is, lol.

[pengillian101]

19. Best to ya! I'm having similar work done in 2 weeks.

Damn that gum disease and my neglecting it.

My dentist said he thought my lowers were worth saving. Heh - I think it's because he can make more money than just pulling them.

Hey, somebody's gotta pay for that gorgeous new single dental building that he alone (w/his 10-office staff) works out of. ;-)

Sincerely, the cost is just outrageous. I don't have dental insurance and tried my best to get the price down as low as I could. Well, if I didn't like the guy and his work so much, I'd shop around more.

Glad you started this thread - it's helpful for ideas. I plan on using the food processor/stick blender for awhile.

I'm such a big baby, he prescribed one valium for me to take before ripping out my teeth. And, of course, I'll use gas. Hope that's enough - I am quite nervous about it.

Hope your mouth is feeling better every day. :hi:

[Jazzgirl]

27. Pen....two days after I had my top teeth pulled

my mother, stepfather and brother and I all went to Red Lobster. I didn't have any trouble eating anything there but I did eat lobster which wasn't tough. Of course....there was a tornado that hit while we were there so we spent quite a bit of time under the table. ;(

[pengillian101]

29. Of course....there was a tornado that hit while we were there so we spent quite a bit of time under

Yikes! Dentures must have been as easy as pulling hen's teeth compared to a tornado, eh, lol?

Good to hear about a short time-frame for eating real food - thanks for letting me know. :-)

[Warpy]

30. I think dentistry is one of the biggest bargains out there

A lot of dentists are sculptors, really, who make us new teeth out of drilled out nubbins on the spot. In addition, check out the equipment their offices must have, new sterilized gear for every person. Plus, how much would someone have to pay you to spend the day in people's mouths, garlic breath and all?

I resented $200 going to an ortho guy who wanted to fit me with a boot for a non displaced fracture when clogs worked well enough and all I really needed were the drugs to get me through the first couple of weeks. I've never resented the money going to a dentist. Dentists have worked damned hard and the result was always no more pain and a better appearance.

As for implants, I decided against them because I've got good bone on my lower jaw and dental glue works really well on me. I honestly don't think about having fake teeth most of the time. They don't move, they don't clack, and I can eat nearly everything the way I did before, only better because nothing hurts when I do.

[The empressof all]

33. You know if you have a great dentist it's a true bargain

Hurting teeth are terrible. As I was getting mine pulled I was quietly counting the money invested in each tooth as it came out. Pretty much every one was root canaled or had a crown or cap. But like everything in life it's important to shop around and know what you are getting. When I started this Treatment Plan for my mouth I got estimates of upwards to $30,000 for removals and implants. One oral Surgeon would only remove my teeth if I saw a Prosthedondist to make the dentures. The Prosthedondist cost for the plate was $3500 per plate plus the cost of each visit for re-alignment. Add that to the cost of the Surgeon it still out of the question unless I went into debt. I would up going to a Denturist to make the plates and found a regular dentist to pull the teeth. My total cost will be $3000 with another $3000 coming from my insurance. (I timed it so I could get 2009 and 2010 maximum $1500 each year). I'm glad I live in a state that licenses Denturists. My guy is truly an artist. I've seen his work and spoke to many of his very happy patients. My new teeth will look better than my real ones. I'm so excited!

[Lugnut]

35. I'm a dentaphobe myself so I understand.

I was lucky to be able to hang onto five bottom teeth in the front. It's just enough to hang a partial on. Maybe that's what your dentist is planning to do.

Good luck!

[katkat]

20. ow yikes I think you deserve some ice cream. n/t

[hippywife]

21. So, how'd it go sweetie?

I hope it wasn't too painful and you were able to enjoy something tasty. :hug:

[The empressof all]

22. I am surviving the dental extravaganza!

I'm sore and a bit off from the pain meds. I had all of the back teeth removed and will have the front done on Tuesday. I'll have the dentures placed in then. I'm not having any problems with the food. I'm able to do oatmeal, sugarfree ice cream, and pureed 15 bean soup with no problem.

I really haven't venured out at all since Thursday and I can see myself getting a bit stir crazy. I just don't feel too comfortable venturing out and speaking to others without teeth.

[hippywife]

25. That's understandable.

It can be a big difference to your facial structure, and no one wants to talk to people with the resulting lateral lisp. This is such a big change for you, but thankfully one that will pass. I went through all of this with my husband, so I know it can take some time.

Glad you are able to take nutrition okay and even enjoy it. Wishing it all works out well for you as it proceeds. :hug:

[Warpy]

31. Yeah, the transition sucks

The uppers will gag you a little bit for the first few days. I left mine in at night to get over it, and get over it I did.

However, getting them all out has been the best thing I ever did for myself. It's such a joy to be able to bite down on something without the fear that a tooth will break and/or give me agonizing pain.

[Vinca]

23. If ever there was an excuse to scarf ice cream, multi extractions would be it.

Go for the chocolate sauce and whipped cream, too, while you're at it. Hope you feel better soon.

[Warpy]

32. In my case, it was tons of flavored yogurt

because ice cream gives me dire rear. I only get it when I'm constipated.

Hey, it tastes a hell of a lot better than milk of mag!

[Lugnut]

34. Oh, bless your heart.

I went through the same situation a few years ago and soups are always a good bet. I made a big batches of egg salad and tuna salad as well. Feel better soon.

[Coyote_Bandit]

36. For those of you who have made this transition

I'd like to ask if you'd provide some of the links you found helpful in doing your research.

I've had bad teeth since I was a kid. Something that wasn't helped by some sports and auto accidents. I've currently got a couple of teeth that are missing a couple of points, a number of fillings, and two teeth that already have root canals and caps/crowns. I figure the time is quickly approaching when I'm going to be faced with having to decide what to do with my own teeth. I'd like to do a little of the research ahead of time.

Any links to information or comments regarding expenses would be much appreciated.

[The empressof all]

38. I don't have any links

My best advice is to get a set of XRays and shop around. The prices can be astronomically different. You really need some good professional advice as IMO there's lots of money to be made on selling procedures you may not need or want. It's also important to think about what level of discomfort and adjustment you are willing to go through. I was quoted upwards to 30,000 dollars for full removal in the hospital under general anesthesia and semi permanent dentures (Spikes implanted in my jaw to keep the plates secure and stable) I wound up paying 3000 after insurance for complete upper and lowers including the removal of the teeth. I timed my procedure to capture my insurance for 2009 and 2010

[Coyote_Bandit]

41. Thanks for the info

I'm assuming the coverage through your dental insurance added another three to four thousand to the total cost.

I'll definitely shop around when I'm ready - both with respect to providers and treatment alternatives. For now I'm pretty happy with the dentist I have. He's had ample opportunity to try to aggressively sell his services to me and hasn't made the effort. He seems to be happy to leave some minor things that could be treated now to be treated later. I do have to travel a couple of hours to his office - but his rates are consistently considerably lower than those for comparable services here in the metropolitan area where I live.

Best wishes and good thoughts to you in your healing process.

[The empressof all]

37. Well I'm still on the soft diet...I've been having some challenges

My new bottom plate is needing a great deal of adjustment. I get out of the office feeling fine then the next day it starts to pinch and rub again. I'm still not able to chew anything with much more texture than a muffin.

I really miss vegetables and salads. I'm eating a lot of over cooked shredded cabbage and downing purees. For fruits I can't do more than a chopped banana so I'm downing strawberry or banana smoothies.

It's hard not to load up on the carbs as the mac and cheese and risottos are just easier to chew when I get sick of eggs, tuna, oatmeal and cottage cheese. TJ's makes a meatless meatball that stays pretty soft in the microwave so they've been great. (especially with Mai Ploy) I did some crustless pumpkin pie today which was a nice change.

Any suggestions?

[hippywife]

39. I'm sorry to hear that empress.

Have you tried sweet potatoes? A little butter and brown sugar, or some butter and bleu cheese or feta crumbles?

Hope it gets better for you soon. :hug:

[pengillian101]

42. Here's what I'm thinking...

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but it sounds like a delicious soup I recently had. My upper teeth are coming out Monday - and I'm planning on trying this recipe. (However this calls for ALOT of olive oil - that may be a misprint - I don't know. I'll just eyeball amount.

Gosh, sorry to hear your bottoms are giving you trouble. Hope it gets adjusted so it's comfortable right quick! :hi:

Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello

1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 stalk celery, diced
1 small carrot, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup heavy cream, optional

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Strain the chopped canned tomatoes, reserving the juices, and spread onto a
baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, to taste, drizzle with 1/4 cup of the
olive oil and roast until caramelized, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat remaining olive oil over medium-low heat.

Add the celery, carrot, onion and garlic, cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
Add the roasted chopped canned tomatoes, reserved tomato juices, chicken broth,
bay leaf and butter. Simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 15 to 20
minutes.

Add basil and cream, if using. Puree with a hand held immersion blender
until smooth.

[Warpy]

43. Yes, dental adhesive

Your plates will continue to irritate your gums while they're healing. Using denture adhesive can stop the plates from slipping and rubbing while you're eating and it makes a huge difference. It can also provide a thin cushion between plate and gum.

Dentures are never going to fit your gums perfectly. Adhesive makes up the difference.

I was on salads and crusty breads within a week. I had to be. I was sick to death of smoothies.

[eleny]

44. I don't have a new suggestion but I sure hope you're more comfortable soon

:hug:

[pengillian101]

45. Hey Smiley!

I had my uppers removed Monday. It was so much better than I feared. Man, that gas had me buzzed but good and I didn't much care, lol.

Liquids and eating soups is all I'm doing so far. I did make that tomato soup in my post #42 this afternoon (but forgot the garlic) it was still really good and just took no time at all. I'll add the garlic to the rest of it. I didn't have cream, but I bet that would make it really--really good.

Best to you empress of all and hope your pain is gone in a jif. I can't imagine having both upper and lower done at the same time.

[pengillian101]

46. Note regarding recipe in post #42

I took the bay leaf out before pureeing with a stick blender.

[Warpy]

47. Did you get your store teeth fitted immediately

after the extraction? Honestly, a week on soft stuff and you should be ready to go with some denture adhesive to keep them from sliding, keep the poppy seeds out from under them, and cushion the healing gums.

Nothing is worse than a mouthful of painful teeth. Getting used to store bought choppers was a breeze compared to the years of suffering.

[pengillian101]

48. Hey Warpy...

Edit---to say Sorry!

There are two of us who just had dentures. Empress of all and me. Sorry if it's confusing - don't mean to be. I talk to myself within a thread and it throws everything off, somehow.

Threaded messages don't work so well.

[Warpy]

49. Yes, I can tell you apart

I just wanted to know how you were doing and suggest the adhesive.

I line of glop inside the plates has made all the difference in the world to me. I was driving across country and eating things like fajitas a week after the surgery.

[pengillian101]

52. Thanks for your thoughts, Warpy.

It's only been two days for me, so I'm just getting accustomed to them. I go back again tomorrow. But, so far, so good. I only had my uppers done and so far I can't believe how good it's going so far. No "real" food yet and I am missing that, ya know?

I'm glad I had a bunch of frozen soft leftovers on hand. Today I had - a frozen banana, chocolate syrup with milk to make a smoothie for breakfast; a casserole of mashed potatoes, spinach and cheese for lunch; a snack of squash; and for supper some of that tomato soup.

I am so not a vegetarian and am hungry for real food, lol.

[Warpy]

55. Meatloaf or Swedish meatballs tomorrow

Yes, you can handle it.

[pengillian101]

57. Had real food today.

A pal went with me to the dentist who fixed a sore spot and then we went to lunch afterward. I had a soup and sandwich. Well the sandwich didn't go so well, but it just was because it was so dense. The chicken tortilla soup was great, once the tortilla strips got soft.

Tonight I made a chile with ground beef and I used the food processor to finely chop the onion, green pepper and jalapeno. The most dense item was the diced canned tomato, lol.

Man, it tasted great!

Swedish meatballs sound like a great idea. Thanks for the reminder. Rolled up in lefse that's in the freezer - mmm.

[pengillian101]

54. Adhesive.

Yes, my dentist showed me how to just put a small amount on the curve of the upper. That really holds it well.

[The empressof all]

50. I'm doing better

I'm still having problems with the fit on the lower and need to see the denturist every week for some tweaking. Every day gets better and better. My gums are still sore but I had a lot of teeth removed. I still can't imagine eating anything tougher than a piece of soft chicken but I'm getting there. I'm still enjoying softer foods more so have found myself sticking with that. I did eat a salad yesterday made with finely shredded lettuce, veggie sloppy joe mix and fat free sour cream. Since it was hot and cold it was a bit on the mushy side but boy was it good.

[hippywife]

51. So very glad to hear it's getting easier.

I bet that salad probably tasted like heaven right about now, sweetie.

I went in the room with Bill when they pulled all of his remaining teeth, and it really freaked me out. I even teared up, even tho he wasn't feeling any pain at that moment. He didn't have a very good time of it at all and still doesn't at times, and that's been probably close to 10 years ago. He never wears his lowers, and takes his uppers out when he gets home. And out they stay until the next time he has to leave the house. Luckily it doesn't show in his facial structure at all right now and it's amazing the things he can eat without them, tho I do make sure not to cook things that are going to be too hard to chew.

Hope it all starts feeling well and normal for you really soon. :hug:

[pengillian101]

53. That sounds just awful for him, hippywife.

Why in the world won't he just go back and have them adjusted?

Mine are just brand new, but I have several follow-up appointments right away.

My Mom had trouble eating with hers, also. Once, she visited her sister who lived across the country from her. Her dentures hurt, so she quietly slipped them into her cloth napkin. Somehow - they got thrown in the trash and she had to travel home without any teeth. How embarrassed she was.

Now, my fella has had both uppers and lowers for a decade or more. He had a few adjustments right away and absolutely loves them. He sleeps with them in. Maybe that makes a difference; I don't know, I'm still on a learning curve.

I hope Bill can find a way to get his to fit.

:hi:

[japple]

40. Curried Carrot Soup. I've never tried this particular recipe, but

it sounds closest to the one that was served in a restaurant where I lived in NC. It was so satisfying and filling. It would be esp. good with a soft roll to dunk in the soup and swipe out the bowl.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_24641_RECIPE-PRINT-FULL-PAGE-FORMATTER,00.html


Also, bean soup. I made some that has lots of onion, garlic, bell pepper and 2 cans of green chiles, mixed beans, cooked in (Christmas turkey) stock. Added lots of cumin and chili powder. It is very tasty, although you might need to keep the Tums handy. Add corn chips to the bowl before the soup, and they soak up the broth like noodles. Add a bit of cheddar, sour cream, or diced avocado. What a feast!

I hope this will be over for you soon.

[EFerrari]

58. Wow. That carrot soup recipe looks great. Thank you, japple. n/t

[tango-tee]

56. Girl....

My thoughts are with you. There is only so much stuff you can purée. And fairly little that has been puréed is enjoyable or appetizing. Have patience until your gums heal. Argh. This may not help your appetite, but here is a big, giant, humongous

:hug:

Sending you much love from Europe!