Dentures have been around since the Seventh Century BC. The earliest versions of dentures were built from teeth taken from animals and other people! Perhaps not surprisingly, it wasn’t an innovation that caught on. Once the Seventh Century BC Etruscan civilization passed on, so did the dentures industry until the 1700s.
Statistics Canada has reported that 22.3 percent of Canadian men between 60 and 79 — and 21.1 percent of women in the same age group — are edentulous. That means that they have no natural teeth. Dentures can help. They’ve been around for so long and are so common that you may think you know everything there is to know. Just in case you’ve missed something along the way, here are some lesser-known facts about dentures.
Denture wearers are younger than you think
Marketing and statistics like the ones we mentioned above might lead you to believe that dentures are just an option for seniors. That’s far from the truth. Dentures in Winnipeg are a solution for dental problems that affect people of all ages, things like serious injury, decay, and conditions that deteriorate pain-free dental functioning at every age.
The number of people wearing dentures near you is dropping
Rates of tooth decay started climbing in the 1700s as sugar became more widely available, and a bigger part of nearly everyone’s diet. The prevalence of tooth decay began to fall a half-century ago as medical and dental professionals and their patients began to place greater emphasis on oral health. A commitment to daily brushing and flossing, and regular dental checkups and cleanings has reduced the number of people wearing dentures in the last several decades.
They do not have to be as obvious as you dread
One of the biggest hang-ups people — especially young people who could benefit from dentures —experience when considering dentures is the fear that everyone will immediately be able to tell that they’re wearing dentures because they’ll look unnatural and clunky in your mouth. That does not have to be true.
Modern technologies and techniques can now produce advanced, customized dentures that will blend naturally and discreetly with your jaw, gums, and face. Keeping them looking natural requires commitment on your part to keeping them clean and having them adjusted if their fit changes over time. Professionally made dentures that are properly cared for and adjusted will allow you to eat, drink, speak, and share intimate moments comfortably and naturally.
They don’t last forever and are not an alternative to dental appointments
Opting for a complete set (or sets) of dentures does not mean you can say goodbye to your dentist in Winnipeg. You’ll be able to quit those annual teeth cleanings but will still attend your dental appointments twice a year. Why? Dentistry extends far beyond your teeth, into your gums. Even with dentures, you can still develop periodontal disease without commitment to oral care.
Your dentures can also collect plaque that can develop into tartar and undermine their appearance. Over time, the fit of your dentures will change — which can affect your lifestyle — but your dentist will watch for those changes, make adjustments, and recommend upgrades and replacements when appropriate.
With proper attention from a dentist and your commitment to care and oral health by you, your dentures can be expected to last for up to a decade before being replaced with a new and perfectly formed set.
Your dentist in West st Paul is as committed to preserving and supporting your own natural teeth for as long as possible. However, there are circumstances in which your own teeth are simply no longer able to do their job. In those cases, modern dentures prepared, built, and maintained with the latest technologies and techniques can restore your natural dental function, appearance, and confidence. If you’re concerned about the implications of tooth loss and curious about whether dentures could help, the first step to a solution is simple — get in touch with a dental clinic near you and ask for advice.