By evaluating the following factors as well as discussing your options with your dentist, you can choose the best restorative option for your smile!

Dentures Need to Be Replaced Every Five to Ten Years

People who have dentures will need to have their dentures replaced at some point. Generally,
dentists recommend having your dentures replaced every five to ten years, although this
number will not be the same for everyone. Some people will need to have their dentures
replaced every three years while others may be able to replace them closer to the ten-year
mark.

Dentures need to be replaced for a variety of reasons. First and foremost is that, just like your
natural teeth, your dentures will experience wear and tear. The materials that make your
dentures will deteriorate over time and need to be replaced. Secondly, your mouth may change
over time. Everyone’s mouth is susceptible to a bit of shifting, and people who have lost most
or all of their teeth typically experience shifting due to tooth loss.

In order for your dentures to look their best, you should have your dentist evaluate them
periodically to ensure they fit well and to see if they need replacement.

When Dentures Are the Right Choice

If you’ve experienced significant tooth loss, dentures may be the right choice for your smile.
People who experience problems chewing and speaking as a result of their tooth loss may be
good candidates for dentures.

For people who have been missing teeth for some time, bone loss in the jaw is a concern that
may restrict you from pursuing other restoration options. For example, dental implants require
a certain density of jaw bone in order for the implant to be successful. For people who are
lacking this bone and unable to undergo a bone graft, dentures may be the best alternative
choice.

In addition, dentures provide patients with a bit more flexibility, including the option to have
removable dentures as well as fixed dentures, which some patients may prefer.
Learn More About Dentures

Your dentist can help you determine if dentures are the best choice for your smile. Regardless
of which type of denture you choose—full set, partial, or fixed—dentures are always custom-
fitted to your unique smile and give you the opportunity to enjoy food again and restore your
confidence.

If you’ve suffered from significant tooth loss, consider scheduling an appointment with your
dentist today to learn more about whether or not dentures are right for you. You can get your
beautiful smile back and enjoy your teeth again with dentures!

The post How Long Do Dentures Last, and Are They Right for You? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Popcorn

Popped popcorn isn’t necessarily bad for your teeth, but the danger lies in those kernels of popcorn that are often hiding at the bottom of the bowl. When you’re eating popcorn, your mouth expects to crunch down on something soft and light. This is normally the case, until you accidentally chomp down on a hard kernel with the force of your jaw. Popcorn is one of the top culprits for cracking teeth! The solution? Be more mindful when eating your popcorn—be aware of where the kernels are and make sure they don’t make it into your mouth!

Hard Breads

Bread is a popular staple at nearly any meal. Soft breads are generally fine for teeth, but hard breads can pose a hazard to your pearly whites. Think of bread products such as baguettes, biscotti, and hard pretzels. These breads can crack or chip your teeth, therefore leading to an unexpected trip to your dentist. If you enjoy hard breads, be careful when eating them—a small bite is always better than a hard crunch with your precious teeth!

Hard Candies

Candies that stick to your teeth are bad, but hard candies can be even worse, especially when it comes to treats such as jawbreakers, peanut brittle, Jolly Ranchers, frozen candy bars, and lollipops to name a few. While many of these candies are meant for sucking, people often bite down on them and find themselves with a cracked tooth. This damage factor combined with the sugar content makes candy an enemy to your teeth. If you choose to eat hard candies, remember to try not to chew or bite them!

Nuts

Nuts are an excellent snack choice—they don’t need to be refrigerated and can be easily stored at the office or at home. However, nuts also are hard and can pose a hazard to your teeth! This is especially true for nuts that are still in a shell, such as pistachios, but it can also be bad news for your teeth if you crunch down on hard nuts to find that you’ve cracked a tooth. Never attempt to open the shell of a nut with your teeth!

Cracking your tooth opens up a space for bacteria to enter the cavity where your tooth’s nerve resides. If left untreated, your tooth could be subjected to infection and decay, and eventually it’ll need a root canal. Avoid these top foods that can crack your teeth and if you choose to eat them, do so with care!

The post Beware! Top Foods That’ll Crack a Tooth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dental crowns are the perfect solution for procedures such as root canals, which require that a crown be affixed to the end in order to protect the tooth from further damage. Dental crowns also work as an excellent alternative for fillings when the cavity is simply too large to be filled with traditional filling materials, or if the tooth is so damaged that a regular filling wouldn’t fix the problem.

Teeth that have been subject to trauma are also easily remedied with dental crowns! Dental crowns help protect your damaged teeth against infection as well as pain. Dental crowns are often made from porcelain or ceramic, and are strong, effective replacements to protect your teeth. They make your tooth stronger and prevent infection, bacteria, or food particles from entering vulnerable spaces in your teeth.

Enjoy a More Attractive Smile

Dental crowns are also used for a variety of cosmetic applications in dentistry. They’re used to restore teeth that are jagged, uneven, or stained more than the other teeth in your mouth. Dental crowns are not only able to easily cover imperfections on a single tooth in your smile, but they’re also are made to match the color of your teeth perfectly—no one will know the difference!

Teeth that have been broken or injured and need cosmetic replacements are often good candidates for dental crowns. Not only do dental crowns make for a more attractive smile by covering the broken tooth, but they also provide the strength and functionality that you need with your beautiful smile.

They Complement Dental Implants

Dental implants are an excellent alternative for missing teeth. They effectively replace your natural teeth with a screw anchored into your jaw. This screw helps to support the growth of new jaw bone, and you’ll have a dental crown affixed to the end of your dental implant that’ll make it look just like one of your natural teeth.

Dental crowns are part of what make dental implants so sturdy. They provide a firm, secure alternative to dentures or partial dentures and even bridges. When you have a missing tooth, a dental crown attached to your dental implant is often the best choice for patients who want a totally natural smile with complete functionality.

Your smile can be saved with dental crowns! Dental crowns are versatile applications in dentistry and are excellent for repairing injured teeth, treating large cavities, protecting teeth that have received root canal treatment, and restoring your smile with dental implants. Ask your dentist about how dental crowns can save your smile and restore your teeth—your dental crowns will protect and enhance your smile!

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Dental Implants

Dental implants top the list when it comes to the best cosmetic dentistry options for your tooth loss. This is because they’re extremely sturdy, match your natural teeth perfectly, and they never need to be replaced. They’re firmly anchored into your jaw with a crown fixed onto the end. Dental implants fully restore the functionality of your smile and give you the confidence to smile brightly again. You care for dental implants just like your natural teeth, so there’s no extra maintenance required other than a crown replacement every few years.

Full or Partial Dentures

You may also explore the option of full or partial dentures for your missing teeth. If you’re missing a full set of teeth, full dentures can help restore your look in an instant! They’re able to be removed and cleaned and your dentist will ensure the best fit so that they don’t feel as if they’re moving about in your mouth. Partial dentures are also a great option for fewer missing teeth, and can be anchored securely by your surrounding teeth. Ask your dentist about implant-supported dentures as well—they tend to be stronger and can make for a beautiful smile!

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are expertly placed over your natural teeth to fill the gaps that missing teeth can create. Veneers are typically made of porcelain and are very strong and strain-resistant. If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental veneers could be an excellent option for you. Patients also get veneers when they’re looking for a more attractive smile—since veneers are easily placed over your teeth, they seamlessly hide gaps and match your natural teeth for a flawless smile. Care for your veneers by brushing and flossing as normal, and ask your dentist about a non-abrasive toothpaste to protect your veneers.

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is typically composed of two crowns that are affixed to either side of your missing tooth or teeth, if you have several missing teeth in a row. These crowns support an artificial tooth (or teeth) that will be anchored in the middle of the crowns, therefore effectively closing the gap. Dental bridges also come in a removable option, but typically your veneers will be permanently attached to your natural teeth to replace the missing tooth or teeth in between. Dental bridges can prevent shifting teeth and restore your ability to chew and speak well.

You don’t have to live with missing teeth! The longer you go with missing teeth, the more time your mouth has to shift teeth, lose jawbone, and be permanently affected by the loss. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to talk about your options for replacing missing teeth—these are the best ones for your tooth loss!

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post The Best Cosmetic Dentistry Options for Tooth Loss appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

As we age, we’re more at risk to develop gum disease, or periodontal disease. The elderly population has the highest rates of gum disease, and this could be so for many reasons. One of the reasons is that gum disease is often not noticeable until it’s too late to reverse—this is especially true if you smoke, which can constrict blood vessels in the mouth and inhibit the signs and symptoms of gum disease from appearing.

These symptoms include red and swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, and tooth sensitivity. Gum disease will eventually begin to affect your tooth’s roots. Our teeth need firm, healthy gums to support them. When your gums and the connective tissues that support your teeth are compromised, teeth can become loose and fall out.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

Taking the best care of our teeth starts early in life and continues throughout our lives. While occasionally skipping nightly brushing likely won’t have a huge impact on your smile, years of doing this can cause bacteria to accumulate at an accelerated pace. These bad bacteria in your mouth can lead to enamel erosion, cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.

As we age, we’re more prone to lose teeth if we’ve been neglecting brushing or flossing on a regular basis. Dental checkups are a big part of this picture—your dentist can spot areas you’re regularly missing and remove built-up plaque during your visit. When we neglect our dental health, we’re setting ourselves up for tooth loss later in life!

Trauma or Disease

Another big reason that so many adults are missing teeth is due to trauma. These types of trauma generally come in the form of accidents—a car accident, a contact sport foul play, an injury. Although accidents can be unavoidable, it’s essential to visit your dentist after the trauma to ensure your teeth are healthy and to repair any broken or chipped teeth or to replace missing ones.

Illness can also lead to tooth loss. Chronic disease requires that many patients be on medication, and many medications can lead to dry mouth. When your mouth produces less saliva, your teeth are not as well protected. This generally leads to overgrowth of bad bacteria and enamel erosion that can lead to tooth decay. Talk with your dentist about how your medication may be affecting your smile!

It’s important to remember that your teeth are part of your mouth for life, so taking care of them is crucial to retain them! Without the proper care, tooth decay and gum disease make tooth loss a very real possibility. Visit your dentist to ensure your teeth are healthy, and always visit your dentist after any trauma to your mouth. You can protect your teeth for life and prevent tooth loss by doing so!

Image courtesy of StockImages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Why Do We Lose Our Teeth as We Age? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.