Tooth loss is a big deal, and it can have a significant impact on our oral health and quality of life. In fact, did you know? Research shows, almost three-quarters of Brits are without their full set of natural teeth, and 6% have none left at all!
Many people are unaware of the impact tooth loss can have on oral health. That’s why we’ll be discussing some reasons you may need dentures and why it is important to act early.
Factors that contribute to the need for dentures
Tooth loss
Loosing your teeth can seriously impact your oral function beyond just chewing and speaking. In fact, structure and function of our face relies on our teeth for support. If you’re experiencing tooth loss, here are a few reasons why you may need dentures.
Poor oral health
Your teeth are important and require care. If you neglect your oral hygiene and don’t get the necessary treatments, you can suffer from some pretty serious dental problems like tooth rot and tooth decay, which may require you to get dentures. This includes extraction of weak or decayed teeth!
That’s why it’s highly important to make sure you’re looking after your oral health and are getting regular check-ups.
Medical conditions
Did you know? Some medical conditions like diabetes and cancer can cause the bones in the body to weaken, which can lead to tooth loss! If you have an illness that causes tooth loss, it is important to look after your oral health and visit a dental professional regularly.
Tooth injuries
It’s a common misconception that artificial teeth are only for the elderly! Anyone who is experiencing tooth loss can get dentures. Many young people may have experienced injuries which have caused them to lose teeth.
You can choose from different dentures, including dental implants, flexible dentures, dental bridges and more! If you have experienced a tooth injury, it might be a good idea to speak to a clinical dental technician about dentures.
Ageing
And finally, the most well-known cause of tooth loss is ageing. As we age, our bodies undergo lots of different changes including changes in our oral health.
Ageing can play a huge role in the health of our teeth and gums, leading to a higher risk of tooth loss and the need for dentures. This is often due to long-term gum disease, so again, it is important to look after your oral hygiene!
What are the dangers of not getting dentures?
Getting dentures early after experiencing tooth loss is important to prevent the potential dangers and negative consequences of long-term tooth loss. So it’s best to speak to a professional as soon as you lose your teeth!
You might not know this but, if left untreated, tooth loss can cause several problems! However, rest assured, there is a solution, early intervention with dentures can prevent and minimise these issues.
It can prevent shifting of remaining teeth, and jawbone deterioration, and improve an individual’s ability to eat, and speak, and their overall quality of life.
If you are experiencing tooth loss, it’s important to speak with your clinical dental technician about your options for restoring your smile and maintaining your oral health as early as possible.
What are the benefits of getting dentures?
Improved appearance
You might not notice with one or two teeth missing, but when you lose a large chunk of your teeth, your appearance can significantly change!
Missing teeth can be responsible for causing a sunken and collapsed facial appearance, causing skin to sag. But don’t worry! Wearing dentures can provide your skin and muscles the support they need to restore your appearance and bring back that happy, confident smile. Interested in finding out more? Read our article about costs for dentures.
Better chewing
If you have missing teeth, you may find it difficult to eat food properly and enjoy the foods you once loved. Dentures can restore your ability to chew properly so you can enjoy all the foods you once loved again!
Prevent further tooth loss
Here’s another little known fact. Missing teeth can cause remaining teeth to shift and become misaligned, this causes further tooth loss which can lead to further problems. But with dentures, you can prevent this from happening so you can keep your remaining teeth healthy and happy.
Improved speech
Oh, and let’s not forget about speech! Your tongue relies on your teeth to enunciate and produce sounds that can’t be replicated without them. You may experience difficulty speaking clearly when you have experienced tooth loss. Rest assured though, as dentures can restore your speech.
Prevent jawbone deterioration
Our jawbone relies on our teeth to stay strong and healthy. Without teeth, your jawbone can deteriorate and become weaker. Dentures can fix this issue and prevent further deterioration so you can keep a happy, healthy jawbone.
It is important to get dentures as early as possible to prevent prolonging some of these serious issues. Speak to your clinical dental technicians to see what services are best suited for you and don’t forget to check out our offers to get the best value out of your consultation.