Maintaining the same beautiful smile throughout your life may be more difficult than you realize. With potential dental injuries, loss of teeth, and discoloration, you may notice your smile changing more and more as you age. However, there are many reliable options, like dentures, to restore your smile.
While dentures are great dental prosthetics, you might not know if you’re a good candidate for them. There are many signs that you need dentures, which you should look out for if you’re beginning to experience recurring dental problems.
At Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants, we understand how important it is to maintain great oral health, and in some cases, that begins with oral prosthetics like dentures. If you believe you may need dentures but aren’t sure if you’re a good candidate, keep reading to learn the most common signs that they’re right for you.
What are Dentures?
Dentures are removable prosthetics that are used to replace some or all of your teeth following extractions or loss of teeth. These prosthetics can be used to replace upper or lower teeth, making them a great option for any loss of teeth. There are many types of dentures, though the most common are partial and full dentures.
Partial dentures are a great option if you are only missing a few teeth. These are designed with special clasps to hook onto your remaining teeth, making them a perfect fit for your mouth. Full dentures are a great option if you have no remaining teeth. They are anchored to your mouth using denture adhesive.
Many denture wearers remove the prosthetic at night to clean the prosthetic and their gums properly. Taking care of your gums is an essential part of the denture process. Failure to properly care for your gums can lead to inflammation, which may make wearing your dentures more uncomfortable.
Are Implants a Better Option?
While you may need partial dentures, there is also a possibility that dental implants are a viable option as well. While dental implants may be more expensive upfront than dentures, they are a much more secure dental option. Dental implants may also require fewer trips to the dentist, making them a great option if you live far away from your dental office or don’t have the time to invest in frequent trips.
If you believe you need dentures but want to learn more about whether dental implants are a good option for your current oral health, reach out to your dentist to schedule a consultation. At this consultation, they can determine if you’re a good candidate for implants or if dentures will ultimately be a more reliable option, given your current oral health.
Signs You Need Dentures
There are several signs that you need dentures
1. Damaged or Missing Teeth
One of the most common indications that you need dentures is if you have damaged or missing teeth. If you are only dealing with minor damage, there is a chance that other dental procedures can help you preserve the tooth. However, if your teeth are breaking or crumbling, it might be time to consider making an investment in dentures.
2. Difficulty Chewing
If you have recently begun to struggle to chew food, this might be a sign that you need dentures. Whether you are struggling to chew due to discomfort or a lack of proper teeth, it isn’t uncommon for many denture patients to deal with these symptoms before their denture installation. Dentures are a great way to restore the ability to chew, so if you’ve recently begun to struggle with this, it is a good time to speak to your dentist.
3. Insecure About Your Smile
Feeling insecure about your smile isn’t entirely uncommon. Whether you don’t think your teeth are white enough or you have other smile imperfections, this is common among many adults. However, if you are facing insecurity about your smile due to a lack of teeth or damaged teeth, you might need dentures. With dentures, your smile can be restored to its previous state, helping to boost your confidence.
4. Frequent Tooth Pain
Chronic tooth pain is often an indication that tooth decay has made its way to the deepest part of your tooth. Once it has reached this point, removal of the tooth may be your only option. Once that occurs, you might need dentures to ensure you can chew properly, prevent teeth from shifting, and maintain your current smile. If your dentist has recommended pulling the tooth, you might need dentures to fill any potential gaps.
5. Gaps or Shifting Teeth
If you’ve lost one or more teeth, you might begin to notice your teeth shifting. In some cases, this shifting may even lead to large gaps between your teeth. These gaps can lead to crooked teeth, which may cause smile insecurity. If you have recently lost teeth and your remaining teeth begin to shift, you may need dentures to help prevent further shifting. You may need some orthodontic treatment beforehand to ensure your teeth are prepared for this, but once your teeth are straight, dentures will prevent further movement.
How to Care for Dentures
Getting dentures is a great way to ensure your smile looks its very best. However, it is still important that you maintain a great oral health routine to ensure your mouth is healthy enough to sustain this prosthetic. If you have recently gotten dentures, there are a few things you should do to care for them and your mouth.
- Remove and rinse them after eating
- Brush your dentures daily to remove plaque
- Brush your gums to prevent gum disease
- Soak dentures overnight to maintain shape
- Schedule regular dental checkups
- Contact your dentist if they become loose
The Perfect Dental Prosthetics from Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants
A great dental prosthetic starts with a trustworthy dental team. At Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants, our team has years of experience helping patients across the Bismarck, ND, area decide if they need dentures, veneers, or implants, and we’re confident that we can do the same for you. At Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants, our goal is to give you a smile you’ll absolutely love. If you believe you need dentures and would like to schedule an appointment with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today.