The number of US adults needing dentures is projected to
increase from 33.6 million in 1991 to 37.9 million in 2020. Dentures are
not inevitable for most people if they actively practice good oral hygiene
habits and keep semi-annual dental checkups. Without these long-term measures
in place however, gum disease
and tooth decay, the main culprits of tooth loss, may win out. Gum disease causes
about 70% of adult tooth loss and affects 3 out of 4 people at some point in
their lives. Make an
appointment with the experienced and caring dentists of Smile By Design to discuss your
tooth replacement options. Dr. Santos and
Dr. Folck
can help you decide if the time is right to get dentures to replace your
missing teeth. Smile by Design proudly serves patients throughout the Virginia Beach area,
including Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth and Fort Story.
Dentures Can’t Fully
Replace Missing Teeth
Tooth loss is avoidable today unless you neglect your teeth
by not brushing, flossing and regularly visiting the dentist. When this happens,
tooth decay and gum disease can progress to bone loss, which in turn can lead
to tooth loss and possibly dentures. Dentures should
be a last resort because there is no perfect substitute for your natural teeth.
Losing your natural teeth is more than just an esthetic
issue. The average adult bite force with natural teeth is somewhere around
200-250 pounds; with dentures, your bite force is reduced significantly to
about 50 pounds. This makes it increasingly difficult to chew and digest
certain foods like fruits and meats. Also, if you use upper dentures, the taste
buds on the roof of your mouth will be covered, which can significantly reduce your
sense of taste. Lastly, getting full dentures may cause your face to age more rapidly
than peers that still have their natural teeth. This is because the bone that was
used to support your natural teeth reabsorbs into the body. As the top of the
mouth reabsorbs upwards, and the bottom of the mouth reabsorbs downwards, the
space between your nose and chin shrinks, giving you an overall aged look.
If you are facing the need to replace a large number of
missing, or soon to be missing teeth, you are not alone. It’s estimated that
29% of Americans ages 45 to 55, 16% of Americans ages 35 to 44, and 3% of
Americans ages 18 to 34 wear either full or partial dentures. These dentures
don’t last forever and need to be replaced every 5-7 years, and relined every 2
years. Although dentures aren't always
easy to wear, not replacing your missing teeth isn’t a good option because the
pressure on the remaining teeth is too great. Fortunately today, dental implants
offer an attractive alternative to dentures. Choosing to get dental implants
eliminates the side effect of premature aging because the implant replaces the
tooth root and bone in your jaw. Also, dental implants have a bigger bite force
than regular dentures because they are cemented into the jawbone for added
stability. To discuss your tooth replacement options, make an appointment
with Smile By Design today. The
gentle dentists at Smile By Design proudly serve patients in and around Virginia Beach, VA,
Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth and Fort Story.
