There are many dentures wearers across the globe today, and they are one of the simplest ways to solve dental problems. But do you need dentures? That might seem like a simple question, but there are a couple of things you need to know before you are able to answer it. Luckily, we have all the answers.
Reasons Why You Might Need Dentures?
There are many reasons why someone might need to start wearing dentures. The most obvious one is, of course, to replace missing teeth. On the other hand, oral hygiene will play an important role in keeping your natural teeth healthy, and if you don’t listen to your dentist, there is a high chance that you will have to deal with tooth decay after a while. If the problem is still not addressed, tooth loss is bound to happen.
However, even with good dental care and hygiene, it is still possible that you will need dentures. If the gap between your teeth is too large, or if you feel that you have loose teeth, this can be a sign that you are struggling with gum disease. But, if you are wondering whether you are doing everything you can for your oral health, ask yourself whether you’ve visited your dentist in the past six months.
Finally, if you have any imperfections that you would love to fix, getting dentures is the simplest solution. These imperfections can be anything from damaged to missing teeth.
Types of Dentures
Knowing that you are in need of dentures is just the first step of the process. You will need to talk to your dentist and see what type is the best option for you. The most drastic solution is complete dentures. These are used when teeth are removed, and the dentist will be able to place them as soon as the gums heal. Permanent dentures can be a great solution if someone loses teeth, and they will allow them to eat normally without any issues.
The second option is to go for immediate dentures, which are made in advance. They are ready for use as soon as the teeth are removed, and the patient won’t need to wait for anything. But in the majority of cases, people will go for partial dentures. This method is efficient when there are still some natural teeth left in the jaw since the dental implants are connected via the bridge.
These dentures are removable, and the wearer should clean them after each meal. Based on the severity of the problem and the state of your natural teeth, you will pick one of many available options.
What to Expect When You Get Dentures
So, the question is what to expect when you first get dentures. If you never had experience with dentures, it might take you a while to get used to them. The traditional dentures are far from perfect, and they won’t be able to make you feel as if nothing happened. At least at the beginning.
There are several aspects of your life that will be affected by the process. Firstly, you might have trouble speaking certain words. You’ve spent your entire life speaking without anything in your mouth and having dentures can affect it. Being uncomfortable shouldn’t worry you, though. After a bit of practice, you will get used to wearing dentures, and you will be able to talk as if nothing has changed.
Moreover, wearing dentures for the first time will feel strange and unnatural. The brain will constantly signal that there is something different going on, but that too will go away in time. Of course, the rest of the problems will be solved immediately. Your physical appearance will change as soon as dentures are in place, and you will be able to smile like never before.
What to Eat When You First Get Dentures
Another thing that you need to prepare for is eating. When you get new dentures, your gums will need time to adjust to them. That means that you won’t be able to eat whatever you like from the start.
For the first three or four weeks, you should focus on soft food and anything that won’t put too much strain on your gums and teeth. This includes broth, cereals, juice, mashed potatoes, soft vegetables, and others. After a couple of days, you can start transitioning toward your regular food.
Start introducing cooked rice, baked beans, pasta, bread, soups, cooked food, fish, etc. One thing you should avoid is hard and sticky foods. Anything you need to chew a lot, that can stick to dentures, or have small tough pieces should wait until the healing process is done.
When Is It Time to Get Dentures
So, when to get dentures? The whole purpose of dentures is to replace missing teeth. If there is one tooth missing from your jaw, you can get dentures. Usually, people won’t bother with it if they are missing a single tooth, and after a while, they will get used to it. Unless it’s one of the teeth in the front, there is no reason for you to do anything unless you feel like it.
But if you are missing a couple of teeth, it might be time to get dentures. To make sure that it is a good idea, you can always consult your dentist. They will be able to offer you the best possible solution for your specific problem.
Full dentures are designed for those with no teeth or if their natural teeth are too damaged to be fixed. Either way, cosmetic dentistry will be able to solve all of your problems, regardless of the number of teeth you are missing. Keep in mind that dentures are only for missing teeth. If your tooth (or teeth) is damaged, dental fillings or crowns will be a better option.