Robert talks about Considering Dentures

How did you find out you needed dentures?

My gums were receding, so gradually, literally on the basis of one tooth a year, I was losing one tooth a year and the palette was getting bigger and bigger.

How did you feel about your tooth loss?

Because it was thrust upon me, you know it was quite a shock because I wasn’t aware I’d got this problem, I thought I had this boyish smile that I was always going to keep for the rest of my life, and so I did feel pretty low about being told I was going to wind up with all of my teeth being replaced by dentures.

What were your perceptions of people wearing dentures?

It was always for old people and I’m never going to get old. I refuse to grow old!

Who did you turn to for support?

In the early stages, when you first get your plate and its partial plate I suffered a lot with rubbing and blistering and soreness of the gums, and I wanted to not wear them, you know, and that is a time when you need a lot of emotional support. My wife was particularly supportive at that time, and on an ongoing basis. Any information I needed, I always would go back to the dentist because as I say we have this trust between us, he’s a family dentist he looks after the whole family and he really was the only source of information.