Denture Facts
Denture Facts
2008
Harrison Dental Clinic
Denture Facts
Dentures donĚt last forever! They should be checked by your Denturist yearly for signs of wear and problems. They should be replaced every five to seven years.
Did you know?
According to the American Dental Association, more than 20 million people in North America are missing all of their natural teeth, and more than 100 million are missing from 11 to 15 of their 32 teeth.
It is estimated that 32 million North Americans wear full or partial dentures.
At age 65 men are expected to live another 16 years and women 19 years.
In 1970 the average 60 year old had nine teeth. Today they have 18-24 of their natural 32 teeth.
The earliest form of denture was introduced more than 2000 years ago.
More than 92% of adults agree that an attractive smile is an important asset.
More than 85% of men and women feel that an unattractive smile makes a person less appealing.
Only 50% of North Americans are satisfied with their smile.
When asked to consider the importance of a smile, respondents, age 65 and older, reported overwhelmingly (80%) that a smile is very important.
Tips for denture wearers
Check the fit. Do not wear loose dentures. Have them checked by your denturist regularly Loose dentures can move around and cause friction between the soft tissues and the denture. These areas can become irritated and inflamed resulting in sore spots. Left untreated these spots can become infected and the gums can be severely damaged. In extreme cases it requires surgery to repair the damage caused by this prolonged chronic irritation.
Care for your dentures
Dentures can warp if placed in very hot water but can also change shape if they dry out. It is therefore very important that dentures be kept in room temperature water ( in a denture cup) when not being worn. It is also recommended that a denture cleaning solution be added to the water. Soaking your dentures in such a solution, while very important, is not enough. Dentures must be thoroughly brushed with a proper denture brush twice daily to prevent excessive plaque build up. Both inside and outside surfaces must be brushed. When you come in for your yearly check-up your dentures will be professionally scaled, cleaned and polished, plus your mouth and soft tissues will be checked for any signs of trouble.
Care for yourself
Dentures are not made to last forever. Be sure to visit your denturist regularly as part of your recommended check-up schedule. Some medications can affect denture fit and wearability so be sure to discuss this with your doctor and denturist. A denture that is properly made, using quality materials and fit to exacting standards should not only look natural, it should also function well. Are your dentures old, worn and ill-fitting? Are they broken or missing teeth? Do you keep them in your pocket or dresser drawer? Do you take them out to eat or only put them in to eat? Do you only wear them when company comes over or when you go out in public? If you answered yes to any of these questions you have a problem, your dentures are not doing their job!
Live a healthy life
Good health depends on proper nutrition. It is impossible to benefit from even a healthy diet if we are swallowing our food practically whole and barely chewed. More often than not we alter our diets, eliminating more difficult foods and choosing rather soft foods instead. Often healthy raw vegetables, salads and even steak and whole grain breads are cut out.
It is no longer necessary to suffer or live a limited life because of dentures. There are many new materials, methods and techniques that can be employed in order to make dentures look great, fit well and function beautifully. In many cases dental implants can be placed that make the dentures so stable that they function like natural teeth. As denture specialists, Denturists work daily to bring the very best to their patients and give them the opportunity to participate fully in everything that life has to offer. LifeĚs too good to go without a smile!
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