No two denturists are the same. If you have been wearing dentures for a while, you know that no two sets of dentures are the same. Finding a quality, experienced denturist can seriously impact the comfort of your dentures. You do not have to deal with loose plates, gums that are rubbed raw, distorted speech, and the inability to eat your favorite foods. If you have any of these problems, there are a few things that you can try before replacing your dentures. Use what I have learned over my 15 years of wearing dentures to find a perfect fit and optimum comfort in your dentures.
finding comfort when wearing dentures
Three Things That Happen To People Who Choose Not To Wear Dentures
Priscilla Hansen
Wearing dentures is a personal choice. Once you reach that stage in life where you do not have any of your own teeth left, you can choose to gum your food, eat pureed foods, or chew with dentures. However, people who choose not to wear dentures experience some problems that they might not otherwise face wearing dentures.
Jaw Deformities
Without teeth or dentures, your jaw begins to shrink and shift. The crowns of natural teeth or the visible tooth portion of dentures keep your mouth lifted. Remove the teeth and your gums come down to meet each other, a difference in height of several millimeters. Over time, the lower jaw begins to cave inward, sinking your chin in toward your neck. Other health problems, such as obstructive breathing while you sleep, can occur.
Facial Deformities
You have seen other elderly people whose faces appear to be sinking inward. They have deep hollows in their cheeks, and their cheekbones become more prominent. It almost gives them the appearance of death. Your original teeth prevented these facial deformities and dentures can too.
Poor Nutrition or Malnourishment
Because you chose not to have dentures, you will find that many of your favorite foods are now off the menu. They are just too hard for your gums to handle. This means less fiber in your diet because you cannot bite crunchy foods, and less meat, regardless of how tender it is. Molars, fake or real, exist to grind your tougher foods up so your body can absorb protein, vitamins, fiber and minerals from what you eat. Without them, you simply are not getting what you need to stay healthy and remain alive.
Talk It Over with Your Dentist
Now that you are aware of what can happen to you without dentures, you may want to take a second look at getting a pair of chompers. Talk it over with your dentist. Whatever prevented you from having dentures made before is probably a concern your dentist has heard before. If denture paste makes you gag, your dentist can suggest another denture bonding substance. If you are worried about the dentures rubbing or being uncomfortable, that is a very common concern, one which your dentist can easily fix. If the source of your problem with dentures is that you are terrified of dentists, your dentist, such as Ann L Ortega DDS, can address that and offer you options to keep you calm during the denture creation and fitting process.
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