If you are wondering why I slurp and spit when I talk.... and some thoughts on aging

Yep, this is me right now. 

Ouch!

And Uck!

A while back, I carelessly jumped up on a stool to get something out of a cabinet (without realizing the door had been left open) and whacked myself in the face. I had a bloody nose, black eye, but my mouth looked fine, even though that is where it hurt the most.

Then, one day, weeks after the incident, I took a bite of a popsicle.  And my front tooth flew out of my mouth, bounced off a door, and ricocheted across the room. Apparently, I'd damaged the root when I smacked my face into the cabinet door, and the tooth was just waiting for a reason to fling itself of my mouth.  

My dentist gave me a temp that was my own tooth glued to something that looks like a bleach tray, which I had to take out if I wanted to eat. Then, he had this temporary partial made, which I was quite happy with even though I don't talk, or eat well with it.  I've been practicing saying "Five, fat fairies in the food forest sat sipping cider slushies."

 My "f"s have gotten a little better, but my "s"s still sound slurpy.  

Since then, I've had some reconstructive surgery, and hopefully will have the two front teeth redone this summer.  Somehow, messing with one, messes with the other front tooth too. Sadly, I had just gone through major repairs on these two teeth and surrounding gums a year ago.  And now am paying for the same two teeth to be redone again. And the specialist has warned me that I won't get the same look, that  it can't look as natural as before.

 I keep telling myself that I am extremely lucky to have good dental insurance, and money to pay the deductible. That while this is unpleasant, much worse things could happen, and if it doesn't look as good as before, at least I don't have to be without a tooth forever. Since I've lost my own tooth, I've noticed other people without teeth, and I have a feeling that they might not be as lucky as I am, and are not getting theirs fixed any time soon.  Or getting such a nice looking, temporary solution like I have.

Still, I've been a bit down about it all.  I'm really trying to not let this gap in my smile stop me from smiling.  I've also been nervous about the dental appointments, which isn't like me at all.  I don't mind dental work, but this time, I've been thrown by it.

 I'm not as vain as I should aspire to be.  I go out without makeup, I don't dress up as nicely as I should, or take my gym membership seriously.  

And while at first, I was horrified when Dewdrop started playing with the crepey folds on my neck like I was made of play dough, I soon got over it and laughed with her and realized that this would be a happy memory for her, that she would always think of her Grammy's neck as something entertaining, and that that Grammy's lap was a good place to be.  And I know how much she loves play dough.

My tooth will be fine, my smile will be fine.   I have a lot of reasons to smile and a lot of people to smile with.

So what if it doesn't look as good as it was before, most of me isn't as good as I was before anyway.  It seems like weekly, I see or feel something age, slip, ache, or change somewhere in my body. 

Still, I do have some vanity that is bothered by all of it.  The tooth trauma has been  a little quite depressing. But I'll get over it.

 And the grand fairies kind of like it. I can play Nanny McPhee or be a wicked witch when I slide my temporary tooth out.  I'll just need a stick on wart to complete the picture. Or just wait a few weeks and see what nature provides as my sun loving youth comes back to haunt my aging skin....

 

Comments

[Jeanine Mayden]

it is like you are living my life lol...i havent' lost the tooth but the crown is messed up,,, i had both front teeth crowned and looked so natural...i am like you with vanity and when my natural gets messed up it is depressing...they told me the same thing "we won't be able to match the new crown with the old one." ugh...and you are right - i am praying for friends who are fighting for their lives and i am upset about my smile! thanks somehow it helps knowing i am not alone in this thing. keep smiling sista lol

[Karla Nathan]

Jeanine, in the over all scheme of things, its such a small issue. But to our own faces it is a big one, so I guess we just cant help but be upset. Best of luck to you, and prayers to your friends.

[Laurie]

I lost both my front Teeth when I was in grade school, a few issues through out the years, so I know exactly how you feel and what you're going through . One had to be removed due to infection last year and now a bridge, learning to to talk is a challenge,

[Karla Nathan]

Oh, sorry to hear that, Laurie! I sure have heard that I am not alone in this.

[Patricia Eaton]

Karla, From what I can see out here in "blogland" you are still beautiful - inside AND out! I understand how you feel though, as I've been through much the same thing, but being over seventy, these sorts of things begin to feel part of the everyday things of life. You'll be fine when all is said and done...especially if you don't let it get the best of you. I detect a fine sense of humor with you and that, my friend, gets us through a whole lot. I'm sure enjoying your posts, thank you so much for giving us such great things to read about and enjoy!

[Karla Nathan]

Thank you for the kind words, Patricia! Yes, Ive found that being able to laugh at your problems can get you through most things.

[Jeannie McGehee]

Well your smile is still beautiful and this post made me laugh & smile because you still find humor in it all and make it a fun time for the grand fairies-- they love you no matter what! Hugs..

[LindaSonia]

I don't know why it shouldn't be just like it was before except for the new teeth having to be re-cemented in. After all, they'll take impressions of the teeth before they make the new so the match of the new teeth should be identical I would think. No??!!

Just be grateful you don't have periodontal disease like me and dry mouth which causes a myriad of nonstop dental issues and you'll be fine.

Your teeth look fabulous to me!!!!!

[Louise Oakes]

You have my sympathy Karla. Last year when we were on our holiday in Scotland celebrating our 25th and my crown came off the same tooth as yours. Unfortunately, I didn't have a neat gap, instead there was an icicle shaped bit of tooth that the crown stuck to! I looked like a witch. You still look really pretty♡ Fortunate I was able to get the crown stuck back on at a local dentist so I didn't scare young children for long! Though when I brush my teeth and look at the tooth sitting where it should be it reminds me of our holiday, which is lovely.
Smile away♡

[Karla Nathan]

Periodontal disease can cause so many difficulties, Im sorry to hear that, LindaSonia. And it is my gums that are the problem more than my crowns that are the problem. Ive had a couple gum surgeries in the past and now there is only so much good tissue left. I will have a higher gum line than before, so my teeth will look longer.

[Karla Nathan]

On vacation?! Thats too bad Louise! But the bad that things that happen on trips become the funny stories we tell later on, dont they?

[Pallas]

Oh Karla, the day your tooth flew out sounds traumatic. I'd say you are taking it in stride, but you'll be as pretty as ever after the dental reconstruction.

You're right about getting older and having bits and pieces fail in our bodies. My recent hip replacement gave me new perspective - Piece me back together the best you can, because I have a lot of things I still want to do in life.

I had to laugh about Dewdrop playing with your neck. Several years ago when I was caring for my five year old nephew, we were working on a project at the table. I was bent over the table, and in his most serious alarmed voice he said, "Aunt Pallas, your face is falling". And, I was so much younger then. Ha!

[Karla Nathan]

Ha! Pallas, your grand sounds a lot like mine. Those little ones just dont understand how our bodies are aging, Dewdrop is always telling me just how old I am looking. If I had any vanity, she sure would wreck it for me!

[JoEllen Smith]

Karla,
Beth sent me the link to your blog. So very sorry to hear of your "tooth troubles", but what a gifted story teller you are, and what insights you have! Beth invited Jan and me to Birdsong, not possible this year, but it's definitely on our "to do" list, sounds amazing. Blessings on your dental issues and all your artistic and crafty ventures. I look forward to meeting you!
Joey

[Karla Nathan]

I hope we see you here someday, Joey! Ive hear a lot about Jeffs family from Beth, you all sound like a fun group. Now, are you our soap fairy who gave us the gift basket? I see that you have soap in your email address. Beth says the basket is just lovely, thanks, if it was you! ps- Im a Jo too, and always wished my middle name was my nickname, I wanted to be a Joey

[lynn legge]

aww karla you are beautiful to me ,,inside and out
I have to laugh tho... as I just went through the same thing.. and we don't have dental insurance.. since hubby lost his job. and just to get a (decorative fix) as my dentist called it... was nearly 800 dollars... ughhh
and that tooth out does make us talk funny... and eating... really makes you take tiny bites... and chew on the sides like a chipmunk.
cant wait to see the birdsong pics... I drool every time you post actually... some from the tooth and some from being in awe of you talented ladies.. lol
have a wonderful week
lynn l

[Karla Nathan]

Oh, Lynn, Im so sorry to hear about your tooth too. The more I talk about mine, the more other people I hear from with similar problems. Im sorry to hear you dont have insurance!! I know this is going to cost me a ton even with insurance. Good luck.