With as much information as there is available today concerning the subject of dentures, there are essentially several key questions people have that they ask about them more than any others. The following list is a comprehensive summary of these questions along with the answers for them.
Will anybody have to know or find out that I wear dentures?
Not at all! There used to be a time when it could be obvious to others that you’re wearing dentures, but with the advanced technology available today dentures can be made to look exactly like natural teeth. Even if you have some teeth left that are of a particular shade or gums that are darker than some, you can have dentures made to match the tones of your mouth perfectly.
Will dentures allow me to eat or chew foods normally?
Of course, and in fact for many people dentures will allow them to enhance their abilities to eat the foods they prefer. While dentures won’t allow everybody to eat absolutely everything they would like, prosthetic teeth should nonetheless impose very few restrictions on diet. As an added bonus, dentures chew more thoroughly, improving the digestion process. With all the improvements dentures make to a person’s capacity to eat, they may even encourage you try a larger variety of foods, which may benefit your health.
How do new dentures feel when being worn?
Patients who have just received their new dentures will notice that they may feel a little weird or awkward for the first few weeks of use. During this time the muscles in your cheek and tongue learn to adapt to the presence of the device and keep it in place. Eventually, with practice and adjustment, dentures will feel exactly like an extension of your body and you will feel comfortable handling them. Also, it is common for minor irritation or soreness to occur with new dentures and for saliva output to increase when you first start wearing them, but these problems are transitory and likewise they will diminish over time.
Will dentures change the way I speak?
You may notice that with new dentures your ability to pronounce certain words has diminished or you will produce unwanted sounds when speaking, such as clicking or smacking. These issues are quite natural and will disappear when you start to grow comfortable using your new artificial teeth. With practice and patience you will adapt to the presence of dentures in your mouth and adjust your muscles subconsciously to perform the actions of speaking just as well as when you had natural teeth.
Will my new dentures last forever?
Although modern dentures are built to last and are made with the sturdiest components available today, they are still susceptible to breaking and will diminish in function and appearance over time due to the cumulative effects of everyday use, such as chewing, brushing, and age. Plus, the features of your mouth change over time, resulting in dentures losing their ability to fit perfectly. Typically, you can expect a good set of dentures that are taken care of well to last up to around ten years, after which you should visit your dentist for an assessment to see what changes might be necessary to ensure a proper fit.
Can I wear my dentures all day?
Certain individuals might be tempted to wear their dentures all day for reasons related to their appearance or just to grow comfortable with their new devices. However, this is not advisable because your mouth is still something to take care of and requires occasional rest in order to ensure the healthiest use of your prosthetic teeth. Though your dentist will instruct you as to how long you should wear your dentures, you can expect to take them out at night or at least to give your mouth a rest for six to eight hours at a time
Aren’t dentures expensive though?
Unfortunately, it’s a myth that tends to stand the test of time that dentures are prohibitively expensive and that most people would be better off avoiding them. Basically, there are no reasons why you should have to suffer without teeth due to financial concerns. In reality, dentures are more affordable than ever and many people with average income or lower are able to purchase denture care and improve the quality of their lives significantly.
How often should I get new dentures?
There is no hard and fast rule, but it is definitely true that dentures do wear out and need to be replaced periodically. To determine whether you need new dentures, ask yourself: Are you mashing your food instead of chewing it? Do you worry about them popping out whenever you laugh? Does it seem that your face has developed a sunken appearance? These are all issues that can be resolved with a new pair of dentures. Furthermore, the dentures of today look much more realistic than they did ten or even five years ago. It is worth your while to learn whether a new pair of dentures make sense for you.