Like any medical procedure, there are pros and cons associated with dental bridges, implants, or partial dentures to treat missing teeth. Find out if a bridge is right for you.
When you think back on your childhood, did it seem that everyone of a certain age had dentures? If so, this may have led you to believe that losing your teeth at a certain point is a given, but that's simply not the case. Your teeth, with proper care, should last you a lifetime. By maintaining excellent oral hygiene, seeing your dentist regularly, and correcting issues like cavities while they're still small issues, you can avoid the need for dentures.
The idea that everyone ends up with dentures when they get older is a misconception. However, if you are experiencing these six tell-tale signs, you may need dentures someday.
Waking up with a sudden and persistent toothache can be a signal from your body that decay has progressed to the pulp inside a tooth. Caught early, tooth decay can be treated with a simple filling, but when the decay advances, the options for restoring the tooth are more invasive and costly. When teeth are badly damaged and left untreated, there's always the risk that saving the tooth is not a possibility.
Seeing your dentist twice a year for semi-annual dental checkups is a critical piece in maintaining the overall health of your teeth. During these routine exams, your dentist can discover small problems or potential issues.
By treating minor issues before they cause severe damage, you can help save money and your teeth from future restorative dentistry treatments. If dental disease progresses past a certain point, tooth extraction may be the only possible treatment option.
Struggling with swollen, tender bleeding or red gums is an early indication of gum disease. By treating gum disease aggressively, you can help to save your teeth from permanent damage. However, periodontal disease left untreated will progress to the point of permanent tooth loss. If you start to lose several teeth due to gum disease, dentures may be the only viable option for restoring your smile.
As previously mentioned, if you've already lost one or more teeth, it's critical to have them replaced by a dental bridge or dental implants. Left untreated, missing teeth cause shifting and other issues. If you have loose or shifting teeth, the gaps between the teeth become wider. These symptoms often indicate bone loss related to undiscovered periodontal disease. If bone loss is severe, tooth loss may be inevitable. In these cases, dentures may be the most practical and affordable option for replacing multiple teeth.
Sometimes, dentures can be an aesthetic choice. Certain patients may elect to have dentures earlier than they may need them because of their front teeth' appearance when they smile. Dentures can be an excellent way to restore lost confidence in the appearance of your teeth.
Not Everyone Will Need Dentures
The goal of dental professionals is to help you maintain your teeth for as long as possible - hopefully, a lifetime! If a tooth is lost, there are many factors and options to consider regarding tooth replacement. Even if many teeth have been lost, there are several excellent options for restoring your smile's look and functionality. All-on-4 implants are an excellent way to keep dentures stable and secure in your mouth.
To learn more about ways to avoid the need for future dentures or more information on tooth replacement options, contact Elite Dental & Denture today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Like any medical procedure, there are pros and cons associated with dental bridges, implants, or partial dentures to treat missing teeth. Find out if a bridge is right for you.
If you are unsure about whether professional tooth whitening is right for you, find out some of the surprising benefits of whiter teeth.
It seems like there are an infinite number of toothpaste options on the shelves today. With so many to choose from, how can you tell which toothpaste is right for you and your family?
Despite their bad reputation, root canals are tooth-saving procedures that alleviate the pain caused by damaged or diseased soft tissue within a tooth.
Getting a tooth pulled is no fun. But is there anything you can do to decrease the chances you will require a tooth extraction? Luckily, in many cases, the answer is yes.
Is it really safe to attempt DIY teeth whitening on your own? Many teeth whitening hacks might not only be ineffective, but could cause permanent damage to your teeth.