Month: September 2019

Just like natural teeth, dentures can wear, chip and become discolored over time. But how long do dentures really last? Two years? Five years? Ten years or longer? Well, that largely depends on you, the wearer.

Caring For Dentures

Caring for your dentures properly will not only ensure that your overall oral health is in good condition, it will also extend the life of your dentures. Your mouth is constantly changing, whether you have dentures or not, and things like gradual bone loss, age and tissue changes affect how well your dentures fit in your mouth. Regular checkups are an excellent way for us to keep an eye on your dentures and partner together with you to make sure they last longer.

Adjustments and repairs may need to be done from time to time, but we expect that with excellent care, a set of dentures can last between seven to ten years.

Coupled with regular checkups and exams in our office, at home, you can do a lot to extend the life of your dentures. Remember that they stain just like natural teeth, so brushing them daily with the proper cleanser can help remove these discolorations as well as eliminate bacteria and food debris that are present. Nightly soaking of your dentures in plain water will help them maintain their proper shape. Dentures that dry out become warped and may be ill-fitting to the point of needing to be replaced.

If you drop or damage your dentures, do not attempt to repair them yourself at home. Call our office right away and we will get you in for an exam. Remember to call our office with any questions or concerns you may have about your dentures, especially if you are experiencing discomfort or pain. We look forward to helping you keep your smile looking fantastic for years to come!

There are several different ways we can help you fix a few missing teeth; dental implants, dentures, and a dental bridge are all options that we can consider for you. If you are not a candidate for dental implants, or you wish not to receive dental implants, you may consider a dental bridge. A dental bridge can not only improve the appearance of your smile, it can improve your oral health!

Missing Teeth

Whether you are missing one or several teeth, it is important for your oral health that you consider having the missing teeth replaced. When teeth are missing, it slowly begins to cause damage to not only your other teeth, but your jawbone as well. The space left unoccupied will slowly cause the surrounding teeth to begin to shift into that open space. This can lead to uneven bite, jaw pain and even additional tooth loss. Additionally, when the jawbone does not have teeth to support it, the bone begins to reabsorb into your body. This can also cause additional tooth loss.

By replacing the missing teeth, or tooth with a bridge, it not only keeps the remaining natural teeth in their rightful places, it helps keep you from experiencing bone loss. Our goal is to help you keep as many of your natural teeth as possible, and getting fitted for a bridge to replace a missing tooth will help us accomplish that goal.

Your oral health is important, and we look forward to helping you not only restore your smile, but maintain it in a healthy manner for a very long time! Regular cleanings and checkups are an essential part of this process. If it has been awhile since your last cleaning and you have a tooth missing that you would like for us to take a look at, give us a call today!