h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My mom lost all her teeth by the time she was 50. She did not neglect her dental health but she did suck on starlite mint candies all of her adult life. She began that habit because she smoked and it helped with the side effects of smoking. When she finally quit smoking, she kept sucking on mints for something to do instead of smoking.

I was reminded of my mother's dental problems by BMT's recent journal. I started out posting this as a response to BMT's journal, but as it was getting kind of long, I decided my comments should take up space in my own journal rather than BMT's.

After she lost all her teeth, my mom continued to use the mints because the dentures made her gag and sucking on a mint helped. Whenever I had a dental problem she'd speculate that I'd inherited her bad teeth, but I don't think so.

I'm almost 50 myself now, and I still have most of my natural teeth. I had my wisdom teeth taken out in my 20s. I lost a couple other molars due to not being able to afford dentistry for a long time. Now that I have dental insurance and see the dentist and hygienist regularly I'm hoping I can keep the rest of them for a while. I can't stand starlite mints.

[Amy P]

As I replied to BMT's journal, I'm having 3-monthly cleans in an effort to keep hold of mine. Some of my lower front ones are slightly lose, although my dentist has told me they're firming up so there's still hope.

I'm 47.

Deb

You're having 3 cleanings a month? That's a lot! Hope it helps.

No, one clean every three months. That's bad enough!

Deb