I think it's one of the most important things people can do for themselves, etc.  In 2009, I had two teeth pulled.  I had never had a tooth pulled before, and I was anxious and nervous, but everything went fine.  The tooth, in which I called my 'Mt. St. Helens tooth'...because like a volcano, it erupted one day, and I was spitting out bits and pieces of tooth!  I guess that's a sign you're growing old, etc. 

Anyway, my dentist told me, that the tooth had no nourishment...kind of like a dead tree along the river...so if the tooth didn't bother me, to take care of it...and if it bothered me...to pull it.  I had it filled right away, and after seven years of taking of it, the tooth developed an infection, and I had it pulled!  The dentist told me I didn't need a root canal, which wouldn't do me any good, and was a waste of money. 

I just don't want to wear dentures in my old age...and if I have to...it will be because of an accident or disease...and not because I don't take care of my teeth, etc.   I go to a dentist twice a year, and I told my dentist after the tooth-pulling, that I would talk to him about whitening my teeth during the next visit. 

The following article, was written by Jan Jarvis of the McClatchy Newspapers, and the copyrighted article was published by the Albuquerque Journal on February 9, 2010.  The article is entitled;

"Denture Cream Dangers Claimed;  Suits Filed Over High Zinc Livels"  The article reads;

"Fort Worth: It began with tingling sensation, as if her foot was going to sleep.  Then numbness set in.  It crept up to Elizabeth Gilley's calf and onto her thigh.  When she collapsed in 2007, Gilley was taken to a hospital.  'The doctor didn't know how I was still conscious,' Gilley said

 At first, doctors told her that she had leukemia, but tests didn't confirm cancer.  CT scans, MRIs and blood tests followed.  Still Gilley was no close to a diagnosis. 

After a year of seeing doctor after doctor, she finally found out what was causing the symptoms, but she could hardly believe what the physician was telling her. 

'Within five minutes of seeing him, he asked me if I wore denture cream,' said Gilley, 26, who was forced to get dentures as a teenager after a genetic condition ruined her teeth.  'I handed him the tube, and he told me to stop using it.' 

But, by then, the damage was done!  Gilley could no longer walk, drive a car or get around without a wheelchair.  Once an active young woman, who had recently gotten married, she was rarely able to leave her home. 

Gilley joined a growing number of people nationwide, who have filed lawsuits alleging that the makers of some denture creams knew about the helath risks associated with high levels of zinc in their products and did nothing about it.  Fixodent and Super Poliegrip are named in class-action lawsuits filed in Tennesee last year. 

Gilley's suit against GlaxoSmithKline was recently filed in Philadelphia, where the manufacturer is located.  About 20 other claimants have also filed suits in mass tort court in Pennsylvania.

GlaxoSmithKline declined to comment.  But on the Website for Super Poliegrip, the manufacturer addresses issues surrounding zinc. 

Both GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of Poligrip and Super Pokygrip, and Procter and Gamble, the maker of Fixodent, have said that their products contain zinc at levels recognized as safe.  GlaxoSmithKline's label now states that there have been reports of serious health effects from increased zinc intake over a long period.  But, the company notes that small amounts swallow during normal use are not harmful and that consumers should not apply the product more than once a day. 

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration classifies the creams as medical devices and does not require zinc to be listed as an ingredient. 

But, dozens of people have been permanently disabled after using the cream for years, and at least one person has died, said Ed Blissard of Houston, Texas, Gelley's attorney.  'I believe this is just the tip of the iceburg,' he said.  'I think a lot of people out there have neuropathy and don't know it could be connected to their dentures.' 

neuropathy; (definition); any diseased condition of the nervous system;

An estimated 35 million Americans use adhesives to secure their dentures, and most have no health problems associated with the creams.  But, some have developed severe neurologival problems, they say, caused by ingesting dangerously high levels of zinc.  For years, the souce of high zinc levels was a mystery.  But, recently researchers have observed a link between neurological problems and the use of denture cream."

END OF ARTICLE;

In 1981, I had dental surgery, to deal with loose gums in the upper right side of my mouth, that began bleeding whenever I brushed my teeth.  I got it taken care of at that time. 

The dentist cut an "upsidedown V" and closed the cut with one stitch.  After about a week of healing, the stitch was remove.  In 2010, I have not had a problem with that side of my mouth in 30 years!  (hooray!) 

Like the other two tooth extractions and the dental surgery...a piece of cake...I had no pain, and the tenderness went away in about a week.  Well worth the time and cost, in my view! 

But, I'm not a dentist or a medical person...nor am I Superman, either!  I'm afraid to go to the dentist just like anyone else.  But, I'm a firm believer, that if all those toxins and poisons get into the blood stream from a rotten mouth...other organs in the body will suffer! 

Also suffering, is the individual's personality, as I've seen people in the past with poor dental care, and they lose their confidence somewhat...shy away and become introverted to a degree, etc. 

As noted in the previous article...young and old should pay attention to their dental care.  If you're afraid...welcome to the club!  If you're lacking courage...get some counseling...and you'll be glad you did. 

Plus...I don't want to have any of those funky, yellow/brown teeth...and I surly don't want to wear dentures...PERIOD! 

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