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