Denture Myths

When it comes to myths, dentures have spawned anot affected by over-the-counter and prescription
colorful collection. Unfortunately, many of thesemedications."Drugs can affect denture fit and
common misconceptions about dentures havewearability. 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 thedifficult to swallow or chew. So let your dentist know
matter is that proper denture fit, maintenance andof any medications you may be taking regularly-or
regular dental care can positively impact each ofeven 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 beexpensive."Before deciding that oral examinations and
surprised to find out that one or two you havedenture care is too costly, discuss the situation with
accepted as "fact", are in fact, "fiction"."Dentures Lastyour dentist. Be frank. Ask about charges for denture
Forever!"While it's true that dentures are durable, theyadjustments, repairs and possible replacement. Keep in
aren't any more permanent than eyeglasses. Droppingmind that if you are in your 60s, you are likely to have
them even a few inches can break a tooth or thetwenty more years of talking, eating and smiling. Your
denture base. Even with conscientious care, dentureoral health is a vital part of your total health."I can make
teeth can loose their natural appearance and chewingmy own denture repairs."Even if you are a whiz at
ability due to chewing, brushing and age.The way youfixing toasters, leaky pipes or automobiles, do not try to
care for your dentures can also alter their fit. Denturesadjust or repair your dentures yourself.Improperly
can warp if placed in hot water. If they become driedrelined dentures can be bulky, causing increased
out, they may change shape. When you remove youpressure on the jaw and more rapid loss of jawbone.
dentures at night, place them in a container ofDo-it-yourself reliners can also irritate the soft tissues
denture-cleaning solution. Also, it's best to use a brushof your mouth. The handyman approach can cause
designed for dentures as well as a denture cleanerirreparable damage and may result in the need for a
rather than toothpaste, because some dentifrice's maynew denture."I'll be without teeth for days if I take my
be too abrasive for dentures."Once you havedenture to the dentist for refitting or repair."Advances
dentures, you don't need to see a dentistin modern dentistry have made it possible for your
anymore."This is probably the most common mythdentist to reline or repair dentures quickly-often right in
about dentures, and it's wrong for several verythe office. If you let your dentist know that you are in
important reasons. You should see you dentistneed of a denture repair, the correction can frequently
regularly for an oral examination, because your mouthbe made on the same day. At our office we have a
is continually changing. Mouth tissue can reveal signs ofdenture lab in order to repair dentures in as short as
diseases, such as diabetes, that first manifestone hour."I know I should have my denture replaced,
themselves in the mouth. Besides checking yourbut I just don't want to go through a long adjustment
dentures, the dentist will check for signs of oral cancerperiod again."The first time is always the hardest.
and examine your gum ridges, tongue and jawYou'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:Loosenesssome adjustment, but it will probably be shorter and
caused by tissue changes.Bad odor caused byeasier than the first time. And it is important!
absorption of fluid and bacteria.Color Change due toProlonged use of ill fitting dentures can irritate the
age or a reaction to mouth fluids.Stains and calculusgums, tongue and cheek, and even cause the ridges
deposits resulting from mouth fluids."Everyone knowsof your mouth to shrink to the point where it will almost
when you're wearing dentures. It's embarrassing."This isbe impossible to fit you with normal denture. Your
true only if your dentures look unnatural or needability to chew may decrease, and your face may
re-fitting. Many of the "tell-tale" signs ofacquire deep aging lines and wrinkles. When you look
dentures-clicking or slipping, unpleasant odor orat the big picture, the temporary adjustment period isn't
stains-are actually signs of poor fit or improper homeso bad."All dentures are the same. It makes sense to
maintenance. Regular professional examinations andshop around and look for the lowest price."Only a
following your dentist's instructions on home care aredentist is qualified to provide denture services. Before
essential steps in assuring a "naturalprescribing a denture, the dentist reviews your health
appearance."Confidence in wearing dentures comeshistory, performs a thorough oral examination and
from realizing that you have taken a positive stepcarefully 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 dentureslaboratories, 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 theymoney, and can cause serious oral health problems.So
would like, many have very few restrictions in theirsee your dentist. Or, if you need assistance in locating
diets. So, if you develop persistent speech or eatinga dentist in your area, contact your local dental society.
problems at any time, have your dentist check the fitYour health, comfort and appearance should not be
of your denture as soon as possible.Good nutrition isleft to chance!"I lost all my teeth and now have to
just as important for mature adults as it is for youngersuffer with a denture for the rest of my life."Today
persons. Properly fitting dentures may actuallywith modern dentistry you can have implants which
encourage you to eat a varied and well balanced diethelp retain and stabilize a denture. The implant
that maximizes your overall health. And, you'll be ablesupported denture also allows you to eat food that
to enjoy the social benefits that make dining withyou would normally not be able to eat.Studies have
friends such a pleasant experience."I have to useshown that an implant supported denture gives
adhesives to make my dentures fit, or I can't wearpatients 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 notmost of my adult life and have very little bone to
require regular use of an adhesive for comfort. In ansupport a denture. Do I have to go through the twilight
emergency, denture adhesives can be used to keepof my life being unable to wear a denture?"Modern
the dentures stable until you see the dentist, butdentistry can replace and even rebuild that missing
prolonged use can mask infections and cause bonebone with bone replacing techniques. Even without
loss in the jaw. Likewise, a poorly fitting denture, whichbone replacing techniques implants can still be placed in
causes constant irritation over a long period, maymany cases. Your dentist is the best judge as to what
contribute to the development of sores and tumors. Ifis best for your mouth and health.If you have been
your dentures begin to feel loose, or causewaiting for a better time to go to the dentist, this is it.
pronounced discomfort, see your dentistThis is the next Spring of your life. Take advantage of
immediately."Dentures aren't like natural teeth; they'reit.