Signs You Need Dentures
Your smile is one of the first things people will notice about you. So, it’s important to take good care of your teeth if you want them to last a lifetime. However, College Hill Dental Group understands keeping your teeth for life is harder for some. Don’t feel down if you’re missing one or more teeth. We offer many restorative dentistry services in Easton, PA. Treatments like dental implants, bridges, and dentures have allowed cosmetic dentists in Easton, PA, to fill gaps in teeth. In this article, our dentists explore some signs you need dentures.
Do I Need Dentures?
While these treatments work for patients of all ages, a lot of folks assume that dentures are only for elders. True, a large percentage of the people missing most of their teeth tend to be advanced in age. However, tooth loss can really happen at any age.
According to Louisiana State University Health, 69% of adults between 35 and 44 have lost one or more permanent teeth, and recent surveys have found that approximately 20 million women over age 40 wear full or partial dentures. So, how do you determine if you need dentures? If any of the following applies to you, you should contact College Hill Dental Group for a consultation.
Some Signs You Need Dentures
You Don’t Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Most dentists in 18042, Easton, PA, would agree that prevention is better than cure. Visiting your Easton, PA dentist at least once every six months allows them to keep an eye on your oral health. Issues like decay, cavities, and gum disease can be nipped in the bud if you keep up with your dentist appointments.
However, if you don’t have them treated early enough, they will progress, ultimately leading to severe dental issues like tooth loss and periodontitis. So if you haven’t seen your dentist in a long time, you may be sitting on a time bomb that may require you to have dentures later on.
You Have One or More Missing Teeth
Tooth loss is fairly common, with around 178 million Americans missing at least one tooth. While dental implants and bridges can work for one or two missing teeth, experts from College Hill Dental Group recommend dentures for people who have lost more than two or three teeth to prevent excessive pressure on the remaining teeth. Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, says that if the missing teeth aren’t replaced, the remaining ones will shift over time, affecting your bite.
Additionally, when you have fewer teeth, they work harder and are exposed to more wear and tear than they can withstand, and you may lose them in the future. Depending on how many natural teeth you have left, you can use either partial or complete dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when there are still some natural teeth left. If you seek treatment early enough, you may be a suitable candidate for partial dentures.
You Have Gum Disease
Also called gingivitis or periodontal disease, it is caused when bacteria in plaque build-up. As a result, you have inflamed and bleeding gums, especially when you brush your teeth. Left untreated, gum disease advances into the more severe periodontitis. Dr. O’Grady, a cosmetic dentist in Denver, CO, explains that this causes the inner layer of the gum and bone to pull away from the teeth, exposing part of their roots and forming pockets.
As the disease progresses, the pocket grows as more gum and bone tissue is destroyed. Without a strong, stable surface to anchor on, the teeth become loose, which can easily lead to tooth loss. Gum disease is actually the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Luckily, it can be easily prevented by proper oral hygiene. Watch out for any of the following symptoms:
- Red, swollen, or tender gums.
- Bleeding gums, especially during and after tooth brushing.
- Receding gums
- Persistent bad breath or taste in your mouth
- Deep pockets between the teeth and gums.
- Loose or shifting teeth
If you experience any of the above symptoms, contact an emergency dentist in Easton, PA, from College Hill Dental Group immediately for treatment.
However, if you are suffering from tooth loss, gum disease, or are seeking wisdom tooth removal in Easton, PA, contact our dentists at College Hill Dental Group today for a consultation. We’d love to help.