In Which the Autistic Dental Patient Loses the Teeth

It has only been since the sudden onset of gastroparesis (Sept. 2022) and subsequent malnutrition that I’ve experienced tooth demineralization and tooth loss.

I have been going in for dental cleanings and exams every three months. At those exams, we plan the fillings and extractions to follow. And so it has meant that I’m at the dentist pretty regularly, because the interventions get done and then I’m back for another cleaning and exam, to set up the next round of it all, you know?

It has been both expensive and painful, but I was hoping to keep my teeth in my head for as long as I could.

That changed yesterday.

We had decided to try a different treatment schedule, because why not. Yesterday, my dentist was booked with only-me for the afternoon. She prepped my entire mouth, all four quadrants, for fillings throughout.

Then she realized tooth #2 needed extraction.

Why is that one extraction a big deal? Well, with tooth #2 gone, I no longer have any remaining functioning molars left. I have just one on the bottom right, and one on the top left, with nothing opposing either one.

So when my nutritionist says that I can try to eat this or that, as long as I “chew it very well” that’s now going to be an issue because I’m not a prairie dog (who chews with front teeth).

My dentist said that we’ll discuss dentures when I come back in three months for the next cleaning and exam, so we can see how fast the demineralization is knocking out these remaining teeth.

Mostly today, I’m feeling face pain from having more fillings than I could count plus an extraction yesterday. Readers may also be interested in reading, “Do Autistics Feel More Pain or Less Pain?”

But I also feel sad. As a disabled person, this hits different sometimes.

And as an autistic person, I try to understand my own feelings. I mean, when the dentist told me the news yesterday, in the dental chair? I literally yelled out, “F*ck f*ck f*ck.”

Then I said, “Sorry.”

And she said, “No. I get it. You’re not going to be able to chew food anymore. It’s warranted.”

Wow, thank you. I have always, always, treasured being told that I’m having a reasonable response to an unreasonable situation. I’m grateful she said that, even amidst a really stressful, overwhelming, painful day.

Want to discuss this topic? There is a thread about it on the facebook page.