5 Facts Every Denture Wearer Should Know To Be Healthier
Getting an annual denture check-up for your dentures is very similar to going to the dentist every year for cleanings – it promotes oral health and maintains the integrity of your teeth! An assessment of your dentures is important. Your oral health is promoted and prolonged. Most importantly, the lifespan of your dentures is extended compared to dentures that are not assessed yearly.
Fact #1 - Acrylic Expires
Dentures generally last for about 5 – 7 years because the acrylic has a “best before date.” Acrylic is porous and the “best before date” dictates the amount of time the acrylic can withstand the harsh environment in the mouth. The harsh environment includes bacteria and physical trauma. Bacteria can get trapped in the denture and on the denture where micro-scratches are. As the acrylic age, it is more susceptible to stains or breakage leading to serious health issues.
Fact #2 - Denture Teeth Wear Away
The teeth used on denture wear or flattens away over time. This wearing away will distort your bite and cause stress to your jaw joint, also known as your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to TMJ disorders. Your jaw is the most unique joint in your body. The amount of stress we put on these joints is even greater than the stress we place on our knees. Your TMJ dictates the specific way you chew your food, and that's important!
Fact #3 - Oral health and Conditions Are Dynamic
Many things occur in the mouth which we normally aren't consciously aware of. The health of your gums, teeth and bones change drastically, especially for denture wearers. Similar to calculus build upon natural teeth, calculus can build up on dentures and appear as a yellow opaque deposit. Calculus hold a lot of dental bacteria of viruses which can be detrimental to your health and it's not always immediately obvious.
Fact #4 - Constant Resorption
When teeth are extracted or missing, the alveolar bone, the bone which used to house the roots of the teeth begin to resorb and shrink – immediately at first and slowly over time. Due to this never-ending change, a denture will not be as good a fit as it was a year ago. As the bone shrinks, the space between your gum and your denture increases over time. A slow increase in looseness and/or rocking changes the way you bite. Any change causing the dentures to be unstable leads to cracks or stress fractures in your denture. It is recommended that relines or rebases be done every two to three years to prevent such issues.
Relines or rebases help prevent the denture from rocking and changing your bite. If you start to notice that you need denture glue or large amounts of it then a reline denture treatment is probably the way to go. As long as the teeth on the denture are still in good condition, a reline can be done to fill the space between the denture and your gums to ensure a good and tight fit.
Fact #5 - Annual Check-ups Saves Money and Your Health
Annual reassessment of dentures done by a denture professional helps make sure your bite and chewing motions are distributed evenly. Most often, fractures or tooth breakage is due to improper force distribution. With fewer chances of a tooth popping out, there will be less need for using super glue or gorilla glue to repair your own teeth to avoid embarrassing moments - what can be used as an emergency is also very toxic in your mouth and can affect your oral health negatively.
