A kiwi mums journey for dental implants

07/07/2026

5 weeks and 2 days with my temporary teeth. Will be back in Vietnam on rhe 22nd December to start my permanents. Looking forward to being able to chew and more exciting meals. Am trialing different textures but still waiting for the day I can eat pizza🤣🤣
Went out to a cafe and had French toast managed the toast without the crust and couldn't eat the bacon but was so good.
Had a burger from burger fuel and ate the burger pattie. Definitely looking forward to eating a 🍔
Made
Meatloaf and mash
My favorite fish pie
Nahos with crushed up nacho chips
Nachos with sliced wraps but couldn't eat them
Chicken and bacon cabonara was so soft
Chicken pasta bake
Tomato soup
Fish and veges
Trying to be creative and fulfilling been baking cupcakes
McDonald's sundaes are definitely easy to eat 🤣🤣

21/06/2026

3 Weeks today having temporary teeth. Is good being home and being able to adapt meals to suit my soft food diet.
Still hard at times but only 6 months to go before heading back to Vietnam for my permanents.
Making lots of pasta dishes etc

Smoothies for breakfast with added vitamins

Yogurt
Jelly
Soups
Cottage Pie
Fish pie
Quiche
Lasagne
Pot of mince with mash (kumara, potato, broccoli and carrot mashed together)
Meatballs smashed up
Cheese fondue
Macaroni Cheese
Pasta bake
Omelets
Ice cream
Cupcakes
Cake

Just making sure using the Flosser and brushing my teeth with an extra soft tooth brush.

Trying to be careful with eating and making sure soft and careful with lightly chewing but experiencing a not "full" feeling with not chewing but trying to navigate this new way of eating for the next 6 months and counting down.

14/06/2026

This is my new normal and have had an interesting time with my Flosii
Have had water everywhere but found this s game changer to make sure I'm keeping my implants and temporary teeth as clean as I can.

Achieve a cleaner, healthier smile with Flosii Water Flosser! Remove 99% of plaque, prevent gum disease, and enjoy fresh breath with ease. Perfect for braces, sensitive gums, and daily use. Portable, rechargeable, and waterproof. Order now for free shipping and a 90-day guarantee!

01/06/2026

Day 12
The day has come to get my temporary teeth. I've been 12 days with no top teeth and 10 days with no bottom teeth. This has definitely been hard on me and masking up at all times as have been very self conscious about this.
My biggest fair was having to get dentures and really couldn't cope with the thought.
Well off to the dentist we go.
My new temporary teeth were ready and the dentist did a few tweeks to make sure my bite was correct and even though they were a bit uncomfortable I was so happy I cried. This has been such an emotional roller-coaster for me but the hard part is over. Now to focus on the healing and making a few sacrifices (pizza) still on a soft food diet for the next 6 months until I'm back to get my permanent teeth.
It's been a very long time since I had back teeth. I came here with 8 on top and 9 on the bottom and now I'm sporting 12 top and 12 bottom.
I video called the kids and family to show them my new smile. I just need to learn to smile haha one of my awkward traits I just find it hard to smile when asked lol.

Decided to go back to the markets and grab a few last minute gifts to take home. Had to stop at Mixue an ice cream parlor to grab a choccy sundae as it was 36 degrees so would be rude not too.

Day 13
Decided to spend our last day in hanoi doing a few last minute trips as now I'm not sporting a mask to hide myself.
Was told to visit the Hidden Gem Cafe, it did not disappoint I had the famous egg coffee and a yummy passionfruit Mousse cake.

We picked up some beautiful flowers for the dental staff to show our appreciation at how wonderful they have been.
We then went for my final check up and was fitted for a mouth guard as a precaution at night.
Said our goodbyes and will see them in 6 months.

Went to the Lotte Observation Deck. This did not disappoint. Go at night as-is amazing. Had a cake and a cocktail.
Enjoyed the scenery from 500 meters up.

Decided we has better get some compression socks so popped to Vincom and grabbed some and saw the 4P Pizza so had a bite to eat. The potatoes with the fondue was to die for and soft so I throughly enjoyed and now going to purchase a fondue set when I'm back home...
Off back to pack had a long haul flight tomorrow. Can't wait to see my fur babies and my kids.

31/05/2026

Day 10

Went for a wander around where we are staying and ended up a bit lost but managed to head down some walkways and found our way back. The heat is incredible, the sweat dripping is gross haha.
Decided to go to the night markets where they close off 3km of streets and look to get the kids some gifts to take home, was busy with so many people and the haggling was crazy. Managed to get a few gifts with a bit of bargaining. Too many people for my liking.
Had a wander around the lake.
Hoan Kiem Lake looks amazing at night.
Time to head back to hotel has been exhausting.

Day 11

A blob morning as feeling a bit sick possibly from the heat yesterday and not drinking enough.
Popped out to the Lotte Mall but very posh.
This is the one that has the observation deck up on the 65th floor. Once I have my temporary teeth I am going to go up there as a treat to myself.
Ended up back at Huu Tiep Lake, the site of the B-52 bomber crash as we only saw this at night. Kids fishing in the lake was spectacular to think of the history.
Did a big walk hoping to find an ice cream shop but couldn't so ended up catching a grab back and ordering dinner. Mashed potato and gravy for me. Excited and scared as getting temporary teeth tomorrow. Hoping everything goes to plane as only 3 more nights here before flying out.

30/05/2026

These are the items I brought from home so I had some food I knew and was soft as wasnt sure what they had over here so came prepared lol.
Hindsight is a great thing.
We found weet bix at the supermarket and got eggs, bananas, ice cream an juice.
I didn't even think about bringing over some Active Manuka Honey ad would of been good for my mouth.
Grab has been great for getting food delivered and also for our sightseeing adventures.

30/05/2026

Day 8

Had a blob morning around the hotel as have booked a 4 hr Jeep Tour..

Was amazing being in a 1969 Jeep touring around the West Lake Area.
Stopped at a Banana Plantation.
Went past the ho chi minh mausoleum.
Drove past the downed B-52.
Went to Train Street and sat and had a drink waiting for the train and immersed ourselves in the experience.
Drove around more and had a fabulous tour guide talking about the history. Well worth doing and definitely recommend the 5pm tour due to heat.
We stopped off for dinner which was included. I was very hesitant as I have no teeth but the tour guide was amazing and we had Bun Cha and he chopped up the egg noodles and the pork with scissors so I could eat like soup. The flavors were incredible. Would love to do a food tour when I'm back next.
Tour ended and treated myself to a pedicure before retreating back to the hotel.

Day 9

Off to the dentist for my teeth.
So excited can't wait.
Had the fitting and I had to show the dentist my bite and he tried to adjust but unfortunately my temporary teeth were sitting out too far on my top teeth. Was emotional having teeth in my mouth but only lasted 5 minutes. The dentist was not happy so he is sending back to the lab for readjustment. I'm glad this happened today and not the day before we leave.

Feeling a bit disheartened but understand he wants them fitting better.
Decided to venture out to a few malls to get out of the hotel. We also booked tickets for Thang Long Water Puppets.
Was definitely good to see.
Was a long day out sight seeing in the heat.

28/05/2026

Day 5

Picked up from hotel to go to dentists to have moulds taken of my mouth for my temporary teeth. Was very uncomfortable especially the bottom mould but got thru it.
Went back to hotel to decide what to do today.
Ended up at a mall with air-conditioning jusr to get out of the hotel.
Had mashed potato and gravy with a meat pattie squished up for dinner was very filling. Unfortunately not being able to chew has made it hard to feel full. Which then you want more food and the feel sick. It's just getting the right balance.

Day 6
Decided to go out to Grand World. Is a bit of a drive our their but absolutely amazing. Went on a golf cart type tour and then on the gondola down the canal. Would definitely recommend doing this in the evening, for the heat and also to see the lights. Would definitely come back next visit.

Day 7
Picked up from hotel and had another fitting of the temporary teeth. Did a few bites to see where my bite is. Met a few people from NZ and Australia in the clinic and had some conversations around things to do and see which was good.
Decided to go to a mall as the weather is reaching 40 degrees and we needed a supermarket for a few supplies so ended up smelling all the yummy food and can't wait to come back and try the local cuisine when I have my permanent teeth. Only problem is I won't be able to fit in the plane seat coming home the food looks that delicious 🤣🤣
Felt like ice cream so stopped at an ice cream shop and had a waffle sundae with cream and banana.
Could eat the cream, ice cream and banana mashed up, just not the waffle but was soooooooo good.
Also ordered some Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognaise off Grab to try and see how it went. Was very soft and easy to cut up and found it easy to eat. Felt very full and content.