| When it comes to myths, dentures have spawned a | | | | not affected by over-the-counter and prescription |
| colorful collection. Unfortunately, many of these | | | | medications."Drugs can affect denture fit and |
| common misconceptions about dentures have | | | | wearability. For example, certain medications can |
| prevented people from achieving their best health, | | | | reduce the supply of saliva in your mouth, making it |
| appearance and self confidence.The fact of the | | | | difficult to swallow or chew. So let your dentist know |
| matter is that proper denture fit, maintenance and | | | | of any medications you may be taking regularly-or |
| regular dental care can positively impact each of | | | | even occasionally."I have a fixed income. Regular |
| 32,000,000 American who wear full or partial dentures. | | | | dental care is too |
| So check out the following myths. You may be | | | | expensive."Before deciding that oral examinations and |
| surprised to find out that one or two you have | | | | denture care is too costly, discuss the situation with |
| accepted as "fact", are in fact, "fiction"."Dentures Last | | | | your dentist. Be frank. Ask about charges for denture |
| Forever!"While it's true that dentures are durable, they | | | | adjustments, repairs and possible replacement. Keep in |
| aren't any more permanent than eyeglasses. Dropping | | | | mind that if you are in your 60s, you are likely to have |
| them even a few inches can break a tooth or the | | | | twenty more years of talking, eating and smiling. Your |
| denture base. Even with conscientious care, denture | | | | oral health is a vital part of your total health."I can make |
| teeth can loose their natural appearance and chewing | | | | my own denture repairs."Even if you are a whiz at |
| ability due to chewing, brushing and age.The way you | | | | fixing toasters, leaky pipes or automobiles, do not try to |
| care for your dentures can also alter their fit. Dentures | | | | adjust or repair your dentures yourself.Improperly |
| can warp if placed in hot water. If they become dried | | | | relined dentures can be bulky, causing increased |
| out, they may change shape. When you remove you | | | | pressure on the jaw and more rapid loss of jawbone. |
| dentures at night, place them in a container of | | | | Do-it-yourself reliners can also irritate the soft tissues |
| denture-cleaning solution. Also, it's best to use a brush | | | | of your mouth. The handyman approach can cause |
| designed for dentures as well as a denture cleaner | | | | irreparable damage and may result in the need for a |
| rather than toothpaste, because some dentifrice's may | | | | new denture."I'll be without teeth for days if I take my |
| be too abrasive for dentures."Once you have | | | | denture to the dentist for refitting or repair."Advances |
| dentures, you don't need to see a dentist | | | | in modern dentistry have made it possible for your |
| anymore."This is probably the most common myth | | | | dentist to reline or repair dentures quickly-often right in |
| about dentures, and it's wrong for several very | | | | the office. If you let your dentist know that you are in |
| important reasons. You should see you dentist | | | | need of a denture repair, the correction can frequently |
| regularly for an oral examination, because your mouth | | | | be made on the same day. At our office we have a |
| is continually changing. Mouth tissue can reveal signs of | | | | denture lab in order to repair dentures in as short as |
| diseases, such as diabetes, that first manifest | | | | one hour."I know I should have my denture replaced, |
| themselves in the mouth. Besides checking your | | | | but I just don't want to go through a long adjustment |
| dentures, the dentist will check for signs of oral cancer | | | | period again."The first time is always the hardest. |
| and examine your gum ridges, tongue and jaw | | | | You're a pro now. You've learned the basics about |
| joints.Of course, your dentures need attention, too. | | | | eating, speaking and wearing a denture. There will be |
| Important indicators of their condition are:Looseness | | | | some adjustment, but it will probably be shorter and |
| caused by tissue changes.Bad odor caused by | | | | easier than the first time. And it is important! |
| absorption of fluid and bacteria.Color Change due to | | | | Prolonged use of ill fitting dentures can irritate the |
| age or a reaction to mouth fluids.Stains and calculus | | | | gums, tongue and cheek, and even cause the ridges |
| deposits resulting from mouth fluids."Everyone knows | | | | of your mouth to shrink to the point where it will almost |
| when you're wearing dentures. It's embarrassing."This is | | | | be impossible to fit you with normal denture. Your |
| true only if your dentures look unnatural or need | | | | ability to chew may decrease, and your face may |
| re-fitting. Many of the "tell-tale" signs of | | | | acquire deep aging lines and wrinkles. When you look |
| dentures-clicking or slipping, unpleasant odor or | | | | at the big picture, the temporary adjustment period isn't |
| stains-are actually signs of poor fit or improper home | | | | so bad."All dentures are the same. It makes sense to |
| maintenance. Regular professional examinations and | | | | shop around and look for the lowest price."Only a |
| following your dentist's instructions on home care are | | | | dentist is qualified to provide denture services. Before |
| essential steps in assuring a "natural | | | | prescribing a denture, the dentist reviews your health |
| appearance."Confidence in wearing dentures comes | | | | history, performs a thorough oral examination and |
| from realizing that you have taken a positive step | | | | carefully measures and prepares your mouth for |
| towards improving your health and appearance. | | | | dentures.Dentists work closely with reputable dental |
| Protecting your oral health with properly fitting dentures | | | | laboratories, where trained technicians make your |
| is a smart move!"Denture wearers can't eat normally, | | | | dentures to match your dentis's specifications. Mail |
| or even speak properly." | | | | order specials for self-fitting dentures are a waste of |
| While not all denture wearers can eat everything they | | | | money, and can cause serious oral health problems.So |
| would like, many have very few restrictions in their | | | | see your dentist. Or, if you need assistance in locating |
| diets. So, if you develop persistent speech or eating | | | | a dentist in your area, contact your local dental society. |
| problems at any time, have your dentist check the fit | | | | Your health, comfort and appearance should not be |
| of your denture as soon as possible.Good nutrition is | | | | left to chance!"I lost all my teeth and now have to |
| just as important for mature adults as it is for younger | | | | suffer with a denture for the rest of my life."Today |
| persons. Properly fitting dentures may actually | | | | with modern dentistry you can have implants which |
| encourage you to eat a varied and well balanced diet | | | | help retain and stabilize a denture. The implant |
| that maximizes your overall health. And, you'll be able | | | | supported denture also allows you to eat food that |
| to enjoy the social benefits that make dining with | | | | you would normally not be able to eat.Studies have |
| friends such a pleasant experience."I have to use | | | | shown that an implant supported denture gives |
| adhesives to make my dentures fit, or I can't wear | | | | patients almost the same satisfaction level as fixed |
| them all day."This is a particularly dangerous myth. | | | | caps and bridges."I have been wearing dentures for |
| Dentures are made to fit precisely and usually do not | | | | most of my adult life and have very little bone to |
| require regular use of an adhesive for comfort. In an | | | | support a denture. Do I have to go through the twilight |
| emergency, denture adhesives can be used to keep | | | | of my life being unable to wear a denture?"Modern |
| the dentures stable until you see the dentist, but | | | | dentistry can replace and even rebuild that missing |
| prolonged use can mask infections and cause bone | | | | bone with bone replacing techniques. Even without |
| loss in the jaw. Likewise, a poorly fitting denture, which | | | | bone replacing techniques implants can still be placed in |
| causes constant irritation over a long period, may | | | | many cases. Your dentist is the best judge as to what |
| contribute to the development of sores and tumors. If | | | | is best for your mouth and health.If you have been |
| your dentures begin to feel loose, or cause | | | | waiting for a better time to go to the dentist, this is it. |
| pronounced discomfort, see your dentist | | | | This is the next Spring of your life. Take advantage of |
| immediately."Dentures aren't like natural teeth; they're | | | | it. |