Why You May Need Dentures

I take good care of my teeth, you might say, so why would I need dentures?  It’s hard to imagine, but as we age, nature has a way of taking us in directions we may never have imagined.

More people wear dentures than you might think.  The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry predicts U.S. adults needing dentures will increase from 33.6 million in 1991 to 37.9 million in 2020.

But, there is good news too.  Tooth loss is gradual so practicing good oral health, eating right, and visiting your dentist twice a year for exams and cleaning can go a long way toward preserving your healthy teeth so you won’t need dentures.

There are 8 reasons you may be headed for dentures.  If you experience any of these, visit your dentist right away because there is a problem that could lead to losing one or more teeth.

• Skipping your twice-yearly exam and cleaning
• Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums that don’t go away
• Loose, shifting teeth, or gaps that are getting wider
• Toothache that doesn’t go away
• Currently missing some teeth
• Trouble eating hard or chewy foods
• Indigestion from not being able to properly chew food
• You cover your mouth when smiling

Be smart! Visit your dentist regularly and at the first sign of any unusual problems.

Reference:  https://www.prevention.com/health/g20428113/8-signs-you-might-need-dentures/