Do I Still Need to See a Dentist if I Have Dentures?

If you're asking yourself, “do I still need to see a dentist if I have dentures?” The answer is an absolute "yes." Dental health is not just about the teeth. It is also about the gums, jawbone, mouth and yes, dentures. So if you wear dentures, you need to schedule regular preventive care appointments so the dentist can make sure that both the dentures and the mouth are in good health.

Here are five reasons why you should still visit the dentist when you have dentures:

Why regular visits to the dentist are important even if you wear dentures

1. People with partial dentures have the rest of their teeth to worry about

The teeth of people with partial dentures are susceptible to cavities because food tends to get caught between them and the dentures. Regular appointments with the dentist are a good way to keep an eye of those remaining teeth. If the teeth develop a problem, the problem will be caught early.

2. Dentures need adjustment from time to time

With time, dentures become loose. The shape of the mouth or teeth may change or the dentures may wear out with use.

Loose dentures are not okay. The truth is that dentures that fit badly increase the risk of dental issues like gum disease and sores caused by injuries to the gums. Ill-fitting dentures could also lead to decreased nutrition, especially in situations where a patient finds it easier to remain hungry than to struggle with uncomfortable dentures. Regular visits allow the dentist to adjust the dentures as needed.

3. Regular visits guarantee the long life of dentures

Just like teeth, dentures need regular checkups to confirm that they are in good condition. Dentures, especially those made of acrylic, are porous. The microscopic pores in dentures are capable of harboring lots of bacteria.

The dentist will give feedback on the care given to the dentures and suggest improvements. The dentist also comes in handy for doing a deep cleaning of the dentures in case they are found to have a buildup of plaque. If taken care of, dentures can last for more than seven years.

4. The gums also need care

Medication causes dry mouth which causes bacteria to thrive. Also, older people may have low immunity and may have higher than usual levels of bacteria. The bacteria can cause gum disease, even when the patient has no teeth. Dental visits are an important way to prevent gum disease from happening or progressing.

5. Something could happen

Sometimes even people with dentures feel pain or discomfort in the gum or jaw. If there is a problem in the gum or the jaw, visit the dentist immediately. Pain that is not caused by a bad tooth can have a serious underlying cause.

Oral health is more than just the teeth

The dentist's job is to care for the entire mouth. That means the teeth, tongue, inner mouth, gum and jawbone. Having dentures does not eliminate the need for a dentist. So visit your dentist once every six months at the very least. Good things will come of it.

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Looking for more information about dentures near the 35802 area? Call Smiles by Design, PC at (256) 660-3233.