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Dentures: Everything You Need to Know

Wed, Jul 8th, 2020

Dentures: Everything You Need to Know

Did you know, nearly 20% of adults age 65 or older have lost all of their teeth? That number doubles for people age 75 or older. Although losing teeth is most common among older individuals, tooth decay (the most common reason for tooth loss) is prevalent for all age groups. 91% of people between the ages of 20 and 64 have had dental cavities, and 27% of those individuals had tooth decay that hadn't been treated for a prolonged period of time.

If your dentist recommends you get dentures, questions and concerns might arise. In this blog, we'll discuss the different types of dentures, how long they last, how to maintain them and how Arnold Dentistry can help!

Full and Partial Dentures

If you only have a few or no remaining teeth, your dentist will most likely recommend full dentures. Next, your dentist will determine if your remaining teeth are healthy. If they are, overdentures are a viable option. These will be placed over the top of your existing teeth and help keep the dentures in place. If the remaining teeth are not healthy, your dentist might suggest having them extracted to avoid an infection from spreading. If this happens, you might be offered temporary dentures while your gums heal. After they are healed, they will begin creating your permanent dentures.

If you have healthy teeth remaining, your dentist will outfit you for partial dentures. These dentures are attached to your remaining healthy teeth to fill in the empty spaces. The base of the partial dentures keeps them in place and blends in with your gums so they look more natural.

How Long Do Dentures Last?

Just like most things, if you want your dentures to last for a long time, it's important to take care of them. On average, dentures last between five and eight years, depending on how well you maintain them.

Eventually, adjustments might need to be made to your dentures. Gum tissue recedes and changes over time and if your dentures aren't adjusted accordingly, they can cause sores or irritation. This is why it's imperative to go to your dentist regularly to see if adjustments are necessary and to have them cleaned.

Maintaining Your Dentures

To keep your dentures in tip-top shape, follow these steps daily:

  1. Rinse them with water after eating and before going to bed to remove food particles.
  2. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture-specific (or mild, non-bleach soap) to gently scrub your dentures clean.
  3. Make sure to remove adhesive and wash any cleaner or soap away thoroughly.
  4. Place dentures in a cool glass of water. Add denture cleaner to help remove stains or odors.

*NEVER USE HOT WATER OR HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS TO CLEAN YOUR DENTURES*

Arnold Dentistry

At Arnold Dentistry, our goal is to help our patients feel comfortable from start to finish. If you're concerned about getting dentures or have any questions about the process that we didn't answer in our blog, contact Arnold Dentistry! We'll be happy to address any concerns and help you feel at ease.

(813) 689-1529