When it comes to your overall health and well-being you might immediately think of eating the right foods, exercising, and getting annual preventative exams. While all these things are important, the health of your mouth is equally, if not more important! In fact, having poor health could contribute to a myriad of issues including heart disease and more! While dentures are commonly associated with the 65 and older age group, dentures are fairly common in younger patients. In fact, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics, only 33.6% of adults between the ages of 40 and 64 have no tooth loss. Luckily dentures have come a long way in terms of comfort and attractiveness than the old fashioned wooden teeth. Here are just some of the many common signs you might need to consider dentures, according to Prevention.
You are not scheduling regular dental visits
Scheduling regular teeth cleaning appointments and dental exams can not only help keep your teeth clean and healthy but detect possible issues. Prevention is key and if your dentist is able to detect issues you can create a restorative plan to get back on track. Dental visits keep gum disease and tooth decay in check and prevent tooth loss which is the main culprit for dentures. Sadly, due to fear or other issues, many Americans skip their twice a year exams, in fact 52.3% of adults reported that they had visited the dentist every six months during the last few years, 15.4% reported once per year, and 11.0% reported once every two to three years.
Your gums are red, swollen, tender, or bleeding
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, according to the AGD. Fortunately, gum disease doesn’t automatically predict dentures. In the early stages, the cure can be as simple as a teeth cleaning at the dentist’s office and better oral care at home. But if left untreated, gum disease can progress to bone loss, which in turn can lead to tooth loss—and possibly to dentures.
Your teeth are loose, shifting, or the gaps between your teeth are wider.
Loose teeth can mean advanced gum disease, at least in that area, agrees Sandy Roth, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and manager of the Denture Care Center in Brooksville, Florida. “Extensive periodontal treatment might be needed, and sometimes these teeth might have to be extracted.”
You have a toothache
Ouch! Severe pain can be a sign that decay has progressed so much that it’s attacking the nerve in the center of the tooth. Caught early, tooth decay can be treated with a simple filling, but when it’s advanced, the options are more invasive and costly.
You’re already missing a couple of teeth
A surprising 17% of adults age 65 years and older have had all of their natural teeth removed.
You’re having trouble eating hard or chewy foods
“The difficulty eating certain foods might be caused by a cracked tooth, missing teeth, cavities or gum disease,” says Dr.Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, FAGD, an Independence, Kansas-based dentist and a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). “Removing the tooth is not inevitable though, especially if you catch the problem early. For example, a root canal and a crown might save the tooth.”
You have indigestion
If you’ve got a recurring stomach ache or indigestion, your teeth might be to blame. “When patients can’t chew properly, they end up swallowing bigger pieces of food, and that’s hard on your stomach,” explains Dr. Sherwood. And not being able to chew properly—whether it’s from sore or cracked teeth—is a telltale sign of serious dental issues. A dentist can help determine if problem teeth are the underlying cause.
You’re self-conscious about smiling
Sometimes dentures are an aesthetic choice. “I have patients who elect to have a denture earlier than they might absolutely need to because of the appearance of their front teeth,” says Dr. Sherwood. Does it make a difference? According to Fixodent’s 2009 Beauty & Aging Survey, most female denture wearers (67%) say they smile more often after getting dentures. Even so, opting for dentures deserves careful thought, so consult with a dental professional to determine what's best for you.
Value Dental Care offers some of the best dental solutions at affordable rates in the Nature Coast area. We ensure that all our patients’ needs are met every time they visit us. We have a team of professional and courteous staff who always keep their patient's best interests at heart. From root canals to cavities, to restoring teeth, we exceed all expectations in a wide array of services. Contact us today at either our Spring Hill or Crystal River location to schedule your next appointment!
Sources: https://www.smilesbydesignhuntsville.com/blog/what-is-the-average-age-people-start-wearing-dentures/ https://www.ada.org/en/science-research/health-policy-institute/dental-statistics/patients#:~:text=How%20often%20do%20people%20visit,every%20two%20to%20three%20years. https://www.prevention.com/health/g20428113/8-signs-you-might-need-dentures/
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