Despite what most people believe, dentures aren't something you only consider once you've reached a certain age. Losing teeth is never ideal, but there are some signs that you might need to start considering dentures sooner rather than later.
Before you can schedule an appointment with your denturist to be fitted with the best dentures, you've got to understand the signs that you need to get dentures.
Poor Oral Hygiene & Lack of Checkups
1. While missing an oral hygiene checkup here and there isn't enough cause to get dentures, the lack of proper oral hygiene does. When you don't take the time to care for your teeth, several issues can arise, including:
• Dental decay
• Gum disease
• Gingival irritation
• Tooth loss
What might start as a minor issue can quickly become a problem that leads to the loss of your teeth. In severe situations, it can lead to other health issues such as endocarditis, when bacteria make their way into the body and via the bloodstream attaches to the heart.
Several studies have examined the probability that poor oral hygiene can, in fact, cause endocarditis. By having routine oral checkups, potential problems can be caught and remedied before tooth loss, or other health problems occur.
2. Shifting Teeth
Shifting teeth when you're young isn't an issue because it's your mouth's way of making room for incoming teeth, but it can be a sign of potential gum disease when it occurs later on in life.
If teeth continue to be unstable, the chances of them needing to be extracted increase, which will leave you with a gap in your smile. If this is a problem for you, you can speak with a denturist about the types of dentures and decide which works the best for your needs.
3. Gum Problems
While many in Canada take oral health seriously it doesn’t mean people aren’t at risk of gum issues throughout their life. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to the loss of your teeth.
There are several signs you might be suffering from gum disease, such as:
• Irritated gums
• Increased gum sensitivity
• Gums that bleed
For example, one form of gum disease that traps bacteria below your gums' surface is gingivitis. The infection causes issues around the base of the gums leading to inflammation.
Gum disease can cause your teeth to loosen over time, leading to tooth loss.
4. You're Missing Teeth
For some people, the loss of teeth isn't a big deal, that is, until your other teeth begin to bear the brunt of having to do twice the work. When you use a few teeth to do the work of multiple teeth, it places the teeth you do have under a considerable amount of stress.
Over time this stress will weaken the remaining teeth you have, leading to them falling out or becoming damaged.
Consult a Denturist Today
There are several signs that you might need dentures, from already having missing teeth to gum disease. If you notice any of these signs, it's time to speak with a denturist about how dentures can be the solution to restore your smile. For a trusted denture clinic in the Fraser Valley, contact Accurate Denture Clinic Ltd. With four locations Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack and Sardis, our denture clinics are ready to serve you.