Dentures are custom-made pieces that
fit over the gums to replace teeth lost due to decay, injury, or gum
disease. Even though much of the population of people missing one or
more teeth have dentures, most people do not really understand this
type of smile restoration.
If you are considering dentures to
improve your own smile, learning the truth about a few common myths
can be helpful. This guide and your dentist
will debunk a few common denture myths.
1. Dentures are Only for the Elderly
One of the most common myths people
believe is that dentures are for elderly patients only. Therefore, if
you are a young adult who is missing teeth, you may not think
dentures are right for you. In reality, dentures are a great option -
no matter what your age is.
Gum disease and bone loss are common in
elderly patients, so you can see why a large portion of older
individuals wear dentures. If you have lost teeth due to an
underlying dental issue or injury, you can also benefit from
dentures.
2. You Can't Eat with Dentures
You may also believe you can't eat if
you have dentures. You should note that you will go through a period
of adjustment when you first receive and start to wear your dentures.
Over time, you will see that you are able to eat, chew, and speak
without any difficulties.
Your dentist may recommend consuming a
liquid or soft-food diet for the first few days to ensure the
dentures do not move or cause you any discomfort. Soups, stews,
scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, apple sauce, and yogurts
are all good options to consider during the first few days.
Cut solid foods into small bites to
make them easier to chew and swallow. Also, avoid hard-to-chew meats
and foods, such as tough pieces of steak and chicken or whole fruits
and vegetables.
After a short adjustment period, you
will see that the dentures have improved your ability to eat and
chew.
3. Dentures are Only for People
Missing ALL of the Teeth
Finally, you may think dentures are
only needed for people who are missing all of their teeth. Most
people are surprised to learn about the different types of dentures.
For example, for those individuals who
ARE missing all of their teeth, a complete set of dentures will be
recommended. These dentures are designed to replace an entire set of
teeth to completely change and restore a person's smile.
If you are just missing one or more
teeth, you can replace these teeth using a partial denture. Partial
dentures are artificial teeth mounted to a base that is secured to
your existing adjacent teeth.
4. Dentures Look Unnatural
Another reason many people are fearful
of wearing dentures is because they will look fake and unnatural.
Fortunately, dentures are designed to not only fit your mouth
properly so they are not noticeable, but to also enhance your smile
by restoring it back to a complete state.
A full set of dentures are made out of
a plastic material that is colored to match the color of your gum
tissue while the artificial teeth's porcelain is colored to match
normal teeth. When worn in the mouth, the denture base seals over the
gums, which creates a streamlined and natural look.
Partial dentures will also look like a
natural part of your smile. They are made out of a plastic or metal
base, which is held in place using clasps and braces that affix to
your natural teeth. In most cases, the clasps are not seen, so others
will not even realize you are wearing partial dentures.
If you are ready to restore your smile
with dentures, contact Dr. Gregory B. Halls today.
