Diabetic Needs Dentures to Maintain Control

Been a while since I needed one of these, but thankfully this one isn’t an emergency for a change. (Brace yourselves. I’m about to babble.)

I’ll start with the problem. My teeth have to go. ALL of them. A number of factors are the reasons for this. First, there’s genetics. Both of my parents had dentures by the time they turned 50 because of receding gums. My brother had partials at 40. Then there’s diabetes, which has made me more susceptible to gum disease. Finally, there are my medications, some of which dry my mouth out, complicating the first two things on this little list. My gums have seriously receded to the point where a build-up of calculus is the only thing holding my teeth in place. All of my teeth are loose, even the ones that seem properly rooted. As my gums continue to recede, the risk gets higher that food particles will get trapped between the teeth and gums, leading to incredibly painful bouts of gingivitis. So, as I said, all of the teeth have to go.

(The picture I posted is a tooth that snapped off without ever giving me an ounce of pain. Only AFTER it snapped did it become RIDICULOUSLY infected. No amount of local anesthetic would numb the site, and when the doctor applied pressure to remove what remained of the tooth, pus seeped out from all around it. It was a BAD time.)

This introduces a new problem. I’ve been a Type 1 diabetic for more than 48.5 years. In the last seven years, I have been “The God of Diabetes,” meaning that the test used to measure a diabetic’s control, (an Hgb A1c), has been perfect, (between 6.0 and 7.0). That’s because I’ve found the balance needed between diet and insulin. I’d say exercise, but I’m no longer fit to workout. Carpal tunnel syndrome affecting my right hand, diabetic neuropathy atrophying most of the muscles in both hands, Charcot foot collapsing the arches and fusing the bones in my remaining foot, and my arthritic lower spine keep me from even dreaming of exercise. Now, I can manage the insulin part of that formula without teeth, but the diet part...? Yeah, I kinda NEED teeth.

The price for two full palates comes to $1,550. I’m terrible at math, so I’m going to boost that total to $1,600 and hope that will cover the $2.9% processing fee GFM will charge. The removal of my teeth will take three or four visits, but I can handle those costs.

It's important to remember that I'm on an extremely limited income. Not long ago, a friend made a comment because she thought I was making around $2,000 a month. If that were the case, I wouldn't be here. No, thanks to a recent, outstanding COLA, I'm currently making a whopping $1,100 a month. That's why I'm in need of this help.

“But Rob, what about dental insurance?” I hear you ask. This is where the usual drama that is my life comes into effect. Medicare doesn’t cover dental. Medicaid DOES (partially) with the right plan. There is exactly ONE plan with dental where I live. I’ve applied for it twice. Both times I was rejected and shunted to a different coverage. I called to find out why, and the answer was, “You didn’t qualify.” When I pressed further to find out what that even means, the answer was, “You just didn’t qualify.”

Thanks. You were a big help.

If I was still living in NY, this wouldn’t be a problem. NY Medicaid has dental. I wouldn’t have to ask for any help whatsoever... AGAIN.

As I said at the start, however, this isn’t an emergency. The extractions, on a guess, will take between six to nine months, and then there’ll be a mandatory waiting period once it’s all removed so they don’t get a mold of my gums while they’re still swollen and healing. Extractions begin with the lower anterior teeth, the loosest of the bunch, on 9 May 2023. I suspect that my blood sugars will bounce like a rubber ball during this whole process, but that will end if I can get a new set of chompers funded.

I’m not going to ask people for big donations. If you could give $5.00 a month for the next six months or so, I should accumulate enough funding for dentures. Just $5.00. And if you share this with friends and family, the funding might happen faster, and I can cross this off my list of ongoing concerns. Oh, and I won’t be pleading for birthday or holiday gifts this year. New teeth will be more than enough. As per my previous begging sessions for aid, I’ll be thanking everyone individually.

That’s the important stuff. Now here’s some UNimportant stuff. The one thing that cannot be fixed in all of this dentistry nonsense is my Class 3 bite. I’ve been such a psychological mess for so long that my tongue has been pushing at my teeth and gums while I sleep. This nocturnal exercise has resulted in realigning my jaw, giving me “The Underbite of the Gods!” Correcting this would require major surgery, and y’know what? I’m good. I’ve been getting by with this underbite for years. Besides, I’m turning 56 come July. I don’t need to charm anyone with a perfect smile anymore.

Did you read that last paragraph? Awww, you’re the greatest. I said it was unimportant and you read it anyway. That makes you awesome.

Remember, there’s no rush on this one. Give what you can, share with friends and family, and expect reminders from me every now and again until my goal is reached. And thanks for reading this rather lengthy plea.

Sincerely,

Rob Meadows