Do I Need Dentures?

If you have tooth loss, you might be a candidate for dentures. Whether you are missing just a few teeth or suffer from total tooth loss, denturesdentures can help you achieve normal tooth functioning once again. Dr. David Gordon, your experienced dentist in Lehi, UT, can help you determine if dentures are right for you.

Tooth Loss and Dentures

Many people mistakenly believe that the loss of just a few teeth does not necessarily call for dentures since they still have the majority of their natural teeth. However, if you are already missing teeth, your remaining teeth are at greater risk of needing to be replaced someday. More strain is put on them daily as they compensate for the missing teeth when chewing, for instance. By filling in for any missing teeth, dentures take some of the strain off of your remaining natural teeth, which can help them last longer.

Risk Factors for Tooth Loss

The Academy of General Dentistry reports that gum disease is a primary cause of tooth loss in adults, affecting as many as three out of four adults at some point. Poor oral hygiene can result in the development of gum disease, which puts you at risk of tooth loss. As gum disease progresses, teeth might fall out on their own or require extraction by a dental professional. Your Lehi dentist will likely replace your missing teeth with dentures.

Signs of gum disease include inflamed gums that are red and swollen and bleed when brushing or flossing. Teeth that have either become loose or shifted out of place can also be a sign of advanced stage gum disease. Again, this can lead to tooth loss and the need for dentures. Toothaches are another sign of potential tooth loss. Major aches often signal tooth decay that, if left untreated, can result in tooth loss.

Preventing Tooth Loss

According to a survey administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 17% of adults over age 65 have had their teeth all removed at some point. Removal can be due to excessive tooth decay that is beyond repair. When the natural teeth are removed, dentures are needed to continue normal functioning.

The best way to prevent tooth loss or removal, is by practicing good oral hygiene daily and by visiting the dentist every six months. Dentists are trained to identify potential problems and correct them before they result in extensive tooth decay or gum disease.

If you have experienced tooth loss, dentures can help you regain normal tooth functioning. To find out whether or not you need dentures, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gordon, your Lehi, UT dentist, by calling Gordon Family Dental at (801) 766-6344.

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