Many patients think that dentures are just for senior citizens. However, the truth is that dentures are more prevalent than you might think. According to recent surveys, approximately 20 million women over the age of 40 wear full or partial dentures. Moreover, this number is projected to increase from 33.6 million to 37.9 million by 2020.
The good news is that tooth loss does not happen overnight. Dentures need not be an option for many patients if they practice good home health care and have regular dental checkups. However, here are 8 signs that dentures may be needed for your future dental health needs:
1) Visiting the dentist every six months is not a regular part of your oral health routine.
Experts emphasize that visiting the dentist is crucial. These bi-annual visits keep gum disease and tooth decay in check and allow your dentist to keep an eye on any changes with your teeth and gums. More importantly, when oral health problems are small, they are more easily corrected. However, once cavities and periodontal problems take hold, teeth may need to be extracted and this can quickly snowball into the need for dentures.
2) There are gaps between your teeth or your teeth are loose and shifting.
According to dental health experts, loose teeth often are a sign of advanced gum disease. In such cases, extensive periodontal treatment might be needed, or these teeth might have to be extracted.
3) You have chronic toothaches.
Severe tooth pain can be a sure sign that decay is progressed to the point where it is attacking the nerve in the center of the tooth. If caught early, tooth decay can be treated with a simple filling, if it reaches the advanced stage, teeth may have to be removed or a partial denture may be needed.
4) You have red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums.
Irritated gums are often a sure sign of early stage gingivitis or periodontal disease. Unfortunately, gum disease is the cause of approximately 70% of adult tooth loss, and affects three out of four people at some point in their lives.
In early stages, gum disease can often be stopped or reversed with more attention to cleaning at the dentist’s office and better at-home oral care. However, if it is left untreated, gum disease can progress to bone loss, tooth loss and possible dentures.
5) You have one or more missing teeth.
Experts recommend that people who have lost more than two or three teeth seek some sort of prosthesis to prevent excessive pressure on the remaining teeth. But when patients are depending on the use of fewer teeth, there is a greater chance of losing more teeth in the future as the remaining teeth are worn down prematurely or shift into open spaces in the gum line.
6) You struggle with eating some types of foods.
Difficulty eating certain foods might be caused by a cracked tooth, missing teeth, cavities or gum disease. Sometimes teeth can be saved if patients catch the problem early. But long term problems can often be corrected with the use of dentures.
7) You have frequent indigestion.
When patients can’t chew their food properly, they often end up swallowing bigger pieces of food. Without proper grinding and chewing of food particles, larger pieces of food can be hard on your stomach and digestive system. A dentist or doctor can help determine if problem teeth are the root cause of your indigestion.
8) You often hide your smile because of missing or damaged teeth.
The majority of denture wearers say they smile much more often after getting dentures. This shows that missing or damaged teeth definitely impact how often you smile.
There is no reason for people to lose teeth today, unless they neglect them by not brushing, flossing and regularly visiting their dentist. So take the extra time to take care of your teeth so you can keep them!
Come See Dr. Griffin For A Free Denture Consultation
Missing or damaged teeth do not need to hold you back any longer. Dentures from Advanced Dental Center of Florence offer a comfortable, cost effective and attractive way to restore your smile and regain your self-confidence. And with restored bite function, patients can improve oral and overall health as well. Still want to know more about dentures, the benefits or how to finance your treatment? If you live in the Florence, SC area, call one of our helpful staff members or feel free to peruse the rest of our dentures website. The path to a better smile starts today with Advanced Dental Center of Florence and amazing dentures!