News from ProDentures
Your Source for Affordable Partial & New Dentures in Houston, Texas
Much like your natural teeth, partial dentures require daily cleaning to keep them in good condition. Debris that accumulate on real teeth, such as dental plaque, bacteria, tartar, stain and food particles affect dentures the same way. This doesn’t mean, however, that you should care for dentures as you would your natural teeth. Effective denture maintenance calls for some changes to your usual oral care routine. The following are things your dentist in Houston might advise you not to do to preserve the quality of your new partials.
One of the most common misconceptions regarding teeth is that it’s natural to lose them as you age. In truth, tooth loss or edentulism is almost always directly caused by gum disease or trauma. Natural teeth, when cared for properly, can last a lifetime even as your mouth changes as you grow older. Few people know this, which is precisely why many elderly patients tend to just ignore the problem until it starts to affect their day to day lives. However, beyond difficulty in speaking or eating, chronic headaches, jaw pain and altered facial and bone structure, studies show that losing teeth also has a significant impact on mental health.
Dental Health Linked to Mental Health
In a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, lead author Georgios Tsakos stated that tooth loss is an early marker of mental and physical decline in people aged 60-74. In a study involving 3,166 adults over the age of 60, researchers concluded that participants who had complete edentulism performed about 10 percent worse in memory and walking speed tests.
Another research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s also reveals that older people with poor oral health or gum disease may be at greater risk of developing dementia. Bacteria from inflamed gums can enter the bloodstream through everyday activities such as eating, chewing and toothbrushing. Bacteria in the blood can then be carried to other parts of the body, including the brain. Once it reaches the brain, it may trigger an immune system response that kills brain cells and changes the brain. It could then cause symptoms such as confusion and deteriorating memory, which is typical in Alzheimer’s disease.
Meanwhile, other studies have also shown that people with dental problems are also likely to develop other mental health issues like anxiety disorder and depression. Having missing teeth causes people to have low self-esteem, which in turn leads to depression and self-neglect. Over time, as their dental health declines, their mental health suffers as well.
How Dental Implants Can Help You
Dental implants are just one of the most effective solutions to tooth loss in Houston because it is a permanent replacement. It is fused directly to the bone in a way that mimics natural tooth root, giving you a smile that feels and looks natural. It requires a relatively low-maintenance hygiene routine, doesn’t cause gum pain, and maintains the health of your jawbone. More importantly, it helps you avoid developing mental health issues from living with missing teeth.
Unsure whether getting dental implants is the right option for you? Visit your dentist and find out if you would make a good candidate for the procedure and learn of other treatments available to you.
Sources:
Study: Tooth Loss Linked To Slowing Mind And Body, Colgate.com
How Dental Health Relates to Physical and Mental Health, GettingHealthier.com
If you’re wearing dentures for the first time, you may notice that food you used to find savory and flavorful may not be as tasty. This is no cause for alarm, however, since many first-time denture wearers report experiencing some loss of taste. Although most of your taste buds are located near the tip and around the edges of your tongue, a significant few can also be found in the roof of your mouth. If you’re wearing full and upper dentures that cover the palate, for example, you will likely experience a decline in your sense of taste.
Losing any of your teeth is one of the most dreaded natural changes in an aging person’s life. It can have some serious consequences, such as difficulty in eating and speaking. If neglected, the remaining teeth will begin to shift toward the empty gums, further creating problems and the risk of infection in the mouth. Thanks to dentures, missing teeth can now be replaced to restore both the appearance and functionality of your mouth.
Partial dentures are great tooth replacement options, but getting used to them can take a while. While dentists affordable partial dentures are custom made to fit properly and comfortably in your mouth, your dentures may still need to be adjusted to your preference.
Most children are born with 32 teeth. Most of us recall what it was like to lose one of baby teeth and still try to eat. But once our “adult teeth” have grown in losing one more teeth can have a serious effect on your life. You may have difficulty eating your favorite foods or speak as fluently again. In this case you may consider having dental implants installed.
Depending on the material used for their construction, partial dentures can last a minimum of five years. For instance, 50 percent of denture wearers with cast partials were found to be still wearing their appliances 10 years after they first put it on. Studies have revealed, meanwhile, that acrylic partials have an expected lifespan of 1 year or more. For the most part, therefore, partial dentures are temporary solutions since your mouth can still undergo changes, affecting the fit of the appliance.
However, dental patients should remember that maintenance also plays a big role in denture longevity. How you keep up with good oral care on a daily basis can determine just how many years of use you can get out of a set of new dentures.
Poor Oral Care
Brushing and flossing may be enough for natural teeth, but dentures need more substantial care. For instance, you need to use denture cleansers and toothpastes ideally bearing the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.
These are proven to be effective at cleaning without being too abrasive. You should also avoid using brushes with hard bristles to remove and rinse food particles as they can damage the dentures or cause it to lose its shape. Lastly, soak the dentures in a solution like Polident or warm water so the denture are kept moist at night.
Lack of Repair
Partial dentures need to be routinely examined by your dentist to see if it needs repair of adjustment. It is normal for partial dentures to have some signs of wear and tear the longer you wear them.
Worn aspects of the appliance must be replaced or repaired by qualified professionals only. The Good News is the ProDentures is often able to repair your dentures in our in-house lab.
Sometimes, full replacement of the entire prosthesis is required in order to adapt to the current situation of the patient. Usually, experiencing signs of discomfort, such as irritated tissues, headaches, ear aches, neck pain, difficulty chewing and digestive problems are the most common indications to visit a denture dental clinic like ProDentures.
Ignoring Stains
While observing proper oral care can prevent most extrinsic damage, it is still normal to notice some staining occurring on your dentures over the years.
The good news is that it’s not a permanent change.
Only your dentist can polish your dentures with specialized tools and equipment, restoring its natural sheen. Stains will be removed to give your dentures a fresher, cleaner look. Over-the-counter teeth whiteners will just cause irreparable damage, so refrain from doing any kind of DIY alteration to your oral appliances.
Ideal denture care should be a joint effort between you and your dentist. If you are in need of more complicated repairs, don’t hesitate to drop by ProDentures in Houston and let us provide a thorough evaluation.
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Aging triggers various changes to your body. One that has a particularly immense effect on your life is tooth loss. When you reach your senior years, you will notice your teeth beginning to come loose or even begin to fall out, especially if the underlying gums are compromised.
Edentulism or tooth loss, a common problem in patients aged 65 and above, has a much larger impact than one might think.
Partial dentures are indispensable for those who are suffering from a few missing teeth.
Routine care and maintenance are required to ensure that your partial dentures stay in great condition so they will last longer. However, nothing lasts forever.
There will come a time when you’ll need your local Houston dentist to craft replacement partial dentures for you. The key is knowing when you should go see an elder dentist who caters to older folks.
With that in mind, here are four tell-tale signs that it’s the best time to see your dentist to discuss having new partial dentures made:
Cracks, Chips, and Other Forms of Damage
From accidentally biting down on a bone while eating to accidentally dropping your partial dentures while cleaning, there are many instances where partial dentures may sustain damage.
Just as you would if your natural teeth sustain a crack or chip, make sure you see a trusted dentist with ProDentures as soon as possible if your dentures sustain damage. Even the smallest chip can lead to unbalanced pressure when chewing or speaking, which may damage neighboring teeth.
Partial Dentures Seem to Becoming Loose
Over time, the jaw bone will actually lose density and begin to shift. You may not notice this immediately, but you may begin to notice that your dentures seem to feel loose all of a sudden.
When this happens, be sure to see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can easily make the necessary adjustments to your partial dentures and ensure they fit properly, helping you avoid the embarrassment of partial denture falling out while speaking and prevent the development of sores along the gums.
Gums Have Become Swollen
Gum irritation is common when wearing new dentures for the first time, but this should subside after a few days or weeks. However, gum irritation to the point of causing your gums to become inflamed or cause gum bleeding is a cause for concern.
This often means that the surface of the partial dentures has sustained some form of damage and is now irritating the gums. This issue can easily be resolved by asking your dentist to fashion you a new set of partials for you.
Your Current Dentures Are More Than 5 Years Old
Dentures go through a lot over the course of their lifetime thanks to the pressure exerted while speaking and chewing. As such, it isn’t uncommon to see wear and tear at some point.
If your current set of partial dentures are more than five years old, pay your dentist a visit and have him assess the condition of your dentures and whether or not you’ll need to have a new set made.
When it comes to your dentures, you should never settle for anything less than a set prepared by a trusted doctor with ProDentures. We offer partial dentures with outstanding long-term warranties.
Sources:
Removable Partial Dentures, MouthHealthy.org
8 Signs You Might Need Dentures, Prevention.com