I can clean my kidneys, but not my teeth???

[girliekick]

I am scared when I go to the dentist they will take out my front bottom teeth.

What a vain thing to talk about, girl, my body image issues run real sensitive right now.

This is the last thing I need to do in my pre transplant work up.

wash my mouth out with soap and Im on the list.

But I am scared.

Its been 8yrs since Ive been to the DDS.

Thanks for listening, any advice is appreciated

Girl

[chris73]

hello girliekick
        That trip to the dentist should be the least of your worries as it was for mine, part of my pre op work-up i had to have 8 removed
 which was i was referred to an oral surgeon, and went for 3 visits to have them removed!  I knew after that was done i was cleared for surgery and no more dialysis. The numbing techniques they have today you never know they stick you and they are done b4 you know it. At first visit i had 2 removed 2nd visit 3 and 3rd visit 3 and each time had taken 20mins or less! On my last visit one of my teeth had abscess and would not take numbing so the DDS pulled it anyways still wasn't that bad. I am glad i had all that taken care of b4 surgery. So go on and have the teeth removed and forget about it and look forward to a new  lease on life with your new kidney. Dont get me wrong that post  transplant isn't easy either ,gets better over time. Best of luck! hope all goes well for you! God Bless!!!   Chris73  PS. As for the body images i believe you can over come that issue...stay strong!

[Romona]

Hi Chris! I hope all goes well. 

[G-Ma]

Question....if no dental insurance who pays for dental work pre transplant?

[RichardMEL]

Dental health is very important specially for transplantees as I understand this is one of the main ways viruses, bacteria and other nasties enter the system and can cause you no end of trouble due to supressed immune systems. So yeah it might suck as a thought to have those teeth out, if that is what you require, but if you want the transplant to have the best chance of success, and thus a longer time for you away from dialysis.. well. you have to (ahem pardon the pun) grin and bear it IMHO.

[girliekick]

Thank you all-

The transplant center will pay for required work. at medicare rates.

Maybe I am just scared. I have become a much more timid person over the past few months. Scared of change. Scared of complication. of many many things. Scared of testing donors. Scared of the whole process.

I know is seems vain and superficial, I really miss having that feeling of being able to do and handle anything.

Thanks for all the support. Im going to try and make an appointment today.

Dive in the deep end ...... and SMILE...

Chris thanks for sharing, I think the thing that makes it such a big worry for me is adjusting to a new mouth, its been one thing on my body that has stayed pretty consistant. 

Girl

[Romona]

I felt the same way. It was like I was the same person on the outside, but my life was completely out of control. I do alot with my hair color, nothing drastic, just because I can control that. Explain how you feel to the dentist. If the person is a true dental professional, they will try to calm your fears. Hopefully it won't be as bad as you fear. Even though I work as an assistant in a dental clinic, I get scared when I am in the chair.

[paris]

I think we can understand the "not in control" feeling.  It isn't fun.  But, take Chris' advice and just get it over with.  Look toward the end result.  We are here for you.        Don't I sound fearless?  I have to go to the dentist for my annual retests to stay on the list. I avoided making the call all day!  Taking a deep breath---I will do it tomorrow. 

[chris73]

Dont get me wrong i about the biggest chicken as they come when it comes going to the dentist.  I was looking forward to my new lease on life and i was willing to do WHATEVER it takes to get off dialysis! Best of luck girliekick..you will do fine through all this ,if i can do it you can too. and paris dont put off anything that will keep you off the list...Git-R- Done...God Bless!! Chris

[Chris]

I have to go to the dentist due to pain I am having and I am sure I have to have teeth pulled. My bone health has deteriorated post transplant and I haven't seen a dentist since pre transplant many years ago and have always hated going. I am vain to about my teeth and all I can think of is possible bad redneck jokes waiting to happen with missing side teeth. Since I do not have dental insurance, no replacements or cosmetic work can be done. On top of that all my dental surgeries need to be done within a year due to new medication I am taking for my bones..

We are all vain to some degree, more or less than others.

Good Luck.

[girliekick]

 

Thank you all. It helps tremendously.

I did make a call, But the girl was so rude, and wouldn't try to answer my questions about payment. So I called my brother (who is really into teeth, for some reason) and he said he would do some research where I live and help me pick a dentist. and he said if that doesn't work he thinks I should go to my home town (apx 1hr away) and see my childhood dentist since I know everyone there.

Baby steps

Dive in the deep end ...... and SMILE...

Girl

PS I'm from the south maybe its a redneck-a-phobia..... Get er done

[coldautumn]

I understand your concern about missing teeth. Unfortunately in many societies, teeth (or the lack there of) can be a cause of many jokes. But what is more important is your health. Having a complete set of teeth is great, but you won't need it if you have failing health. So, keep your chin up...you have been through worse. 

Dentist Covina
Dental Costa Mesa

[Chris]

But to bad teeth and regular health insurance do not coinside with each other when it comes to our health. After going to the dentist and oral surgeon, there is no way I can afford that out of pocket even with their so called payment plan (have to pay  in full in 2 months). Disability Income and Medicare do not help when dental work is needed ven when health maybe at risk (according to what dentist and surgeon have found).

[Hanify]

Oh gosh I feel for you.  I would also be really concerned about losing teeth.  However, way better now than later eh?  Thinking of you.

[donnia]

I have had lots of problems with pain in my teeth lately.  I realllllly need to go to the dentist!  I don't want teeth pulled tho.... However, I'll do what I got to do......

[monrein]

 I would encourage everyone to invest in a really good rechargeable toothbrush...I like the Braun, Professional Care series, with a built in timer (3 full minutes).  I also use a sulcabrush morning and night around gums or hard to reach spots and try to floss once a day.  I also go to the dentist every 6 months and consider this a priority although it sure is expensive.  I have however managed to avoid any serious problems and I take a medication called Dilantin that causes real havoc with the gums.  My dentist impressed on me a long time ago that poor dental health can cause a to of trouble.

[cariad]

Hi girliekick,

I think most people can understand not wanting to go to the dentist. I need to go as part of my eval, also, and your post inspired me to just get it over with and make the appointment. I am driving over half an hour to go to this dentist, so I would say if you already know and trust a dentist, an hour drive is worth it since this is usually just a twice a year issue.

As for payment, do you have medicare? I can't promise this is accurate, but I read that if you need a check-up for the purposes of a kidney transplant, that medicare will cover it.

I am with you about being scared! It has been a long time since I've been to the dentist, too, and the last time I went, I came down with a vicious case of strep two hours after the appointment. I am trying to get advice from my doctors on how best to avoid that happening again.

We can do this!!!   

Good luck to you!