As young as you are, dentures might be in your near future.
An estimated 20 million women aged 40 and up wear full or partial dentures, according to a 2009 survey by Fixodent Beauty and Aging. Furthermore, the number of Americans needing dentures is projected to rise from 33.6 million in 1991 to 37.9 million in 2020.
The good news is there are ways to avoid dentures in your lifetime.
Losing your teeth does not happen overnight. "Dentures are not inevitable for the majority of the population if they practice good home health care and have regular dental checkups," explained Frank Tuminelli, DMD, FACP, director of Graduate Prosthodontics, New York Hospital Queens and
vice president of the American College of Prosthodontists.
So, like grandpa, are false teeth part of your older self? Here are seven signs that dentures might be in your future.
1. You don't remember the last time you visited a dentist
Bi-annual trips to the dentist prevent tooth decay and gum disease — the main perpetrators when it comes to missing teeth.
Dental experts recommend twice-yearly visits because when the problems are small, they are easier to treat. "Once cavities and periodontal problems advance, tooth extraction may become necessary. And, once that happens, you could be into the denture scenario." said Leila Jahangiri, associate professor and chair of the department of prosthodontics at New York University.
The goal of your dentist is to keep as many of your natural teeth as possible. So, make sure to get professional teeth cleaning every six months.
2. Your gums are red, tender, swollen, bleeding, or receding
These are known symptoms of gum disease — from the mild, early stages of gingivitis to the more advanced and painful periodontal disease.
Gum disease is more common than you might think. It is accountable for about 70 percent of adult missing teeth. Unfortunately, you have a 4 in 5 chance of developing gum disease in your lifetime, warns the American Dental Hygienists Association.
Preventing gingivitis is as simple as getting regular dental cleanings and following good oral care practices at home. However, without treatment, gum disease can progress to bone loss, which can lead to tooth loss and an eventual need for dentures.
3. Your teeth are shifting, loose, or the spaces between them are widening
If your teeth are shifting or when the gaps between them open up, bone loss from gum disease could be the cause. "Periodontal or gum disease is what we call a silent killer because you can't see it," says Dr. Jahangiri. It can arise in your 20s, progress under the radar through the years, and wreak irreversible havoc on your oral health without you realizing.
Loose teeth can suggest advanced gum disease, at least in that area, comments Sandy Roth, spokesperson for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and manager of the Denture Care Center in Brooksville, Florida. If you have receding gums and loose teeth due to advanced gum disease, extensive treatment is imperative and some of your teeth may not be salvageable.
4. You have a severe toothache
Intolerable pain can signal that decay has progressed to the point where it's attacking the nerve within your tooth. Found early, a dentist can treat tooth decay with a quick and simple filling. The options are more invasive if your tooth is severely decayed. These include root canal therapy or even dental extraction.
When it comes to extensive decay, dental experts determine whether any teeth are savable, which teeth require removal, and whether a partial denture is enough to replace some of the missing teeth and would give the patient sufficient aesthetic and functional results.
"It's important to remember that once teeth are gone, they are gone for good," adds Roth. Thus, take good care of them and visit your dentist regularly to ensure that each one of your teeth are cavity-free.
5. You already have a couple of missing teeth
If you have lost more than two or three teeth, you should seek some sort of prosthesis, advises Dr. Jahangiri. Otherwise, the pressure on your remaining teeth will be too great.
Sometimes, when a patient has lost their molars, they say, "My front teeth are still here and they look pretty good, so who cares?" That patient should care more than anymore. When fewer teeth are doing all the work, the chance of losing more teeth is far greater. "It's a domino effect," warns Dr. Jahangiri.
Many Americans can attest to the latter statement, as 40 million people between the ages of 65 to 74 are missing all of their natural teeth.
6. Eating hard or chewy foods causes you pain or discomfort
The presence of pain or discomfort when chewing certain foods might be due to decay or a fractured tooth. Extracting the problem tooth and getting a partial denture are your last options, as a root canal and a crown might be adequate to save your smile.
7. You don't want anyone to see your smile
In some cases, dentures are an aesthetic choice. Some patients opt for dentures earlier in life because of the appearance of their front teeth. Does it make a difference? In Fixodent's 2009 Beauty and Aging survey, most female denture wearers revealed that they smiled more often since getting dentures. Even so, getting dentures before you really need them deserves careful deliberation, so consult your California dentist to determine what's best for you.
A Word of Advice From Cunning Dental Group
In general, there is no reason for you to lose any of your teeth today, unless you have been neglecting them by not brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly. Fortunately, you have complete control over the factors that lead to tooth loss.
Get the Best Dentures in Irvine and Montclair, CA
If you are ready to restore your gorgeous smile and say farewell to toothaches and chewing problems, our high-quality dentures might be the perfect solution. Schedule your appointment with Cunning Dental Group to find out if dentures are right for you. Restoring beauty and function to your smile is our goal.
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