Don't feel beaten, Daniel, I know I am replying late to your question but this affliction came probably around the time that your permanent teeth or wisdom teeth started to appear right?
Well it is no ones fault if they also get EC round about that time as well as Ec is now rumoured by myself largely to be the cause of simple teeth impaction where the part of the tooth that needs cleaning is stuck under the gum line.
Read the rest of my posts in as much order if you can if you would eventually like to get rid of the plastic look feel on the lips.
Good luck. It may be a long read, but fluent I hope.