Recession

I suffer from what is called "Advanced Periodontal Disease". Aka, I have receding gum lines and I need to do something about them or I will lose my teeth. Cool, huh? And you thought I was going to talk about the economy, didn't you? :)

Anyone who knows me, knows that teeth are really important to me. I brush and floss....a lot. I would say, on average, I spend 10 minutes on my teeth 2 to 3 times a day. Obsessive Compulsive anyone? I know. I hear ya. It is a problem. But there could be worse problems, I guess. Like maybe, a fear of toothbrushes or something! I have gone as far as setting timers to try and quicken my routine. All for naught. But I digress.

Gum Recession.

I blame my Dad. Well, his whole family really. My lazy gums are genetic and it is something that he and his siblings suffer from. It seems such a waste to have inherited my Dad's charming and sparkly smile, and also his lazy gums which may ruin said sparkly smile.

I went to the dentist on Tuesday and she said something has to be done or I will start losing teeth...soon...like within 6-12 months soon. Can you imagine me not having my gorgeous smile anymore? Yeah, me either.

Here's my issue. I have always been told that in order to really fix the problem, I need braces to correct my bite. But if I get braces, my gums will get worse because they won't be stimulated. Meaning, I will probably have to have several gum replacement surgeries while the braces are on, to correct all the gum recession that will happen because of the braces before the braces can fix my teeth/bite enough so that the gums won't recede. Did you catch all that? In other words, it has always been a catch-22. Things would have to get much worse before they could get better. 

In talking to the dentist, I have several treatment options:

1. Have gum replacement surgery. I have actually had this done to two teeth already and it suuuuuuucks. They extract gum tissue from the roof of your mouth and then basically stitch it onto your existing gums hoping it will regenerate. Horrible. Painful. I looked like I had Frankenstein gums. Well, let's be honest, I I DID have Frankenstein gums. And the worst part is, it isn't a long-term solution. Those two teeth I had done? Yeah, they have to be done again.

2. Get traditional braces and deal with the catch-22 for around $2,000 + the gum surgeries.

3. FINALLY there was an option 3! In 15 years there has never been an option 3! Option 3 is Invisalign. Since these come off, I can remove them to brush and floss, therefore stimulating my gums and hopefully avoid making the recession worse! They have even seen gums GET BETTER ON THEIR OWN! *Halleluia* Oh, wait, there's a catch. It is SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive because these are the "braces" people get to avoid the ugly hunks of metal traditional braces consist of. Booo.

I don't know what I am going to do. Probably get a job to pay for the Invisalign. Either way, I am sort of excited to enter the not-so-exclusive club of people who get their teeth fixed. I can't wait to be a frumpy mother of 2 with a plastic-in-my-mouth-induced lisp. Maybe I will sound like the sloth from Ice Age! I can only hope to be as funny. Wish me luck!