Full sets are held in place by creating a natural suction between your gums and the dentures, which contain artificial teeth and gum tissue. Some people may need an adhesive to help the dentures feel secure, but for the most part, the natural seal does all the work.

With partial sets, a metal framework holds one or more artificial teeth in place. With either full or partial dentures, a secure and comfortable fit is a must for proper function. If your dentures don’t fit correctly, they can cause more than discomfort. Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore ill fitting dentures!

Dentures That Don’t Fit Properly Can Lead to Bone Loss

Your natural teeth played a vital role in stimulating your jaw bone, which helped keep the bone strong. Healthy jaw bone helps your face appear fuller, whereas lost teeth can make your cheeks have more of a hollow appearance as time goes on.

With dentures as your tooth replacement, they help stimulate your jaw bone to a certain extent to help retain some of your facial appearance. However, dentures that don’t fit properly won’t support your jaw bone in the same way.

Therefore, ill fitting dentures can lead to bone loss and improper wear on your gums, which can cause your bone to degenerate over time [1].

It May Be Harder to Chew Foods and Get the Right Nutrients

People who have dentures that don’t fit properly typically have trouble chewing, which is a problem that dentures are supposed to help correct. Without being able to eat the right goods due to denture discomfort, you may not be able to get all the nutrients you need for optimal health [2].

When dentures fit properly, you should be able to enjoy the majority of foods that you were able to eat before with your normal teeth. If your dentures feel loose or painful when biting or chewing, or you have difficulty eating with them, always follow up with your dentist to ensure your dentures fit properly!

Ill Fitting Dentures May Cause Sore Gums or Oral Sores

While it may take a bit of time to get used to your new dentures, they shouldn’t be uncomfortable beyond the first few weeks of wearing them. If your discomfort persists after this time—or is painful enough in the first few days or weeks that you feel something is wrong—don’t hesitate to follow up with your dentist.

Ill fitting dentures can cause sore gums or even oral sores on the softer tissues of your mouth that can be painful and frustrating. If you have oral sores as the result of ill fitting dentures, denture adhesive isn’t likely to solve the problem. Instead, call your dentist to have them check your dentures [3].

How Can You Ensure a Proper Fit?

Your dentist will do their best to ensure your dentures fit properly during your appointment. However, it’s up to you to note any discomfort that could mean your dentures don’t fit properly in the coming days and weeks. Remember, your dentures won’t last forever. They’ll need to be replaced every few years for maximum comfort. Always work with your dentist to resolve ill fitting dentures and protect your smile!

Sources:
1. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/denture-adhesives
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14576715/
3. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/dentures

The post Don’t Ignore Ill Fitting Dentures appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

You have options when it comes to replacing a missing natural tooth, from dental bridges and implants to implant-support dentures, with each having its various features and benefits. But could partial dentures be a good replacement option for your missing teeth? Here’s what you need to know about this form of dental restoration for your smile!

How Many Teeth Do I Need to Be Missing to Qualify for Partial Dentures?

Technically, you only need to be missing one tooth to have it replaced with a partial denture [1]. People can be missing a single tooth or several teeth, and all can be fitted with a custom partial denture to help restore the appearance and function of your smile.

However, if you’re missing all of your natural teeth, you’ll need to discuss full dentures or other restoration options for your smile instead of partials.

What Are Partial Dentures Made Of?

Partial dentures are custom-made to fit your unique smile and fill in the gaps of missing teeth.

These restorations fit similarly to a retainer and are made with metal framework with plastic or acrylic to mimic your teeth and gums [2]. Dentures are designed to look like your natural missing teeth and attach to your remaining teeth to provide you with a dental restoration that’s easy to wear and remove for cleaning.

How Do I Know If Partial Dentures Are Right for Me?

While most patients will qualify for partial dentures, this dental restoration may be a good
option for you if:

• You’re missing one or more of your natural teeth
• You don’t qualify for dental implants
• You want to prevent the preparation work for adjacent teeth that dental bridges require

Your dentist can review the features of partial dentures with you to determine if this dental restoration is right for you!

What Are The Benefits of Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures allow you to restore the look and function of your natural teeth with a non-invasive dental repair. For patients that have dental anxiety about invasive procedures, partial dentures could be a viable tooth replacement option.

Another benefit of partial dentures is that they’ve been shown to help prevent bone loss in the jaw that can lead to a prematurely aged face [3]. Our tooth roots are what help keep our faces looking full and youthful, so a partial denture can help your teeth remain in place and prevent bone and tooth root reabsorption.

Need a Functional Replacement for Missing Teeth?

When you’re considering a replacement for your missing teeth, a partial denture could be an option for you. Schedule an appointment with your experienced dentist today to learn more about this restoration for your smile!

Sources:
1. https://medlineplus.gov/dentures.html
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dentures-partial
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23892861

The post Partial Dentures May Be Your Solution for Missing Teeth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Getting a dental implant to replace a missing tooth means you now have a permanent restoration that will, with the right care, never need to be replaced. But what should you expect after getting dental implants? Here’s what you should know following your procedure.

Immediately After Your Procedure

The majority of patients can drive themselves home after their dental implant procedure, although for the next 24-48 hours, you should try to rest as much as you can and avoid any strenuous activities, including exercise.

You can expect some swelling, bruising, and minor discomfort following your procedure [2]. Some patients may see a bit of bleeding, which is normal. If you have severe pain, swelling, or bleeding, contact your dental practice as soon as possible.

Most patients can return to their normal routine about one to two days following their dental implant procedure.

What to Eat for the Next Week

For the next seven to ten days after your appointment, you’ll want to stick to foods that are easy to eat, such as soft foods. Foods to consider eating include smoothies, yogurt, pudding, pureed vegetables or fruits, eggs, and anything you can slice with a fork or eat with a spoon.

Avoid tough or hard foods such as steak, nuts, or crunchy fruits and veggies. You’ll also want to avoid extremely hot and cold foods as well as alcohol until your implant heals, and don’t drink from a straw, as this can damage your dental implant’s healing process.

Every patient’s healing time will be different. For some people, they’ll need to eat softer foods for the next few weeks while their dental implant heals.

How to Help Your Implant Heal

There are a few things you can do to help accelerate the healing of your dental implant!

• Stop smoking. Ideally, you’ll want to stop smoking before your dental implant procedure and for as long as it takes for your dental implant to heal. Smoking can increase the chances that your body will reject the dental implant or get an infection.
• Eat healthy foods. It’s easy to consume processed foods when it comes to softer foods, but explore healthier options, such as making a smoothie with fresh greens or fruits, trying avocados or bananas, or eating fish.
• Clean your smile gently. Being harsh with your toothbrush can damage your dental implant. Be sure to brush your teeth and around your new implant very gently twice a day. Before you know it, your dentist will be placing your final restoration—a dental crown—once your dental implant has healed!

While every person’s healing time will be slightly different, dental implants have a 95 percent success rate, so you have an excellent chance for healing properly after the procedure [3]. You can help your dental implant be strong and healthy by taking care of your body and your smile following your appointment!

Sources:
1. https://www.aaid-implant.org/dental-implants/what-are-dental-implants/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-
20384622
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4028797/

The post What to Expect After Getting Dental Implants appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The bridge relies on the surrounding teeth for support and typically consists of two dental
crowns on these supporting teeth with an artificial tooth in the center to fill in the gap of your
missing tooth.

For people who have lost teeth due to trauma, decay, or gum disease, a dental bridge can
prevent the remaining teeth in your mouth from shifting into the gap left from the missing
teeth.

If you and your dentist decide a dental bridge is your best option to replace missing teeth, what
can you expect during and after the procedure?

First Visit: Preparing Teeth

During your first visit for your dental bridge, your dentist will need to prepare the auxiliary
teeth for the device by removing a small amount of tooth enamel and reshaping the teeth.
These are teeth that will receive dental crowns in order to support the bridge.

During this appointment, your dentist will use local anesthesia. If you have anxiety about the
procedure and would prefer a different type of sedation, you can talk with your dentist [1].

Next, your dentist will take an impression of the area receiving the restoration and send the
impression to the lab to make your dental bridge. Based on this impression and your natural
teeth color, your bridge should match your teeth perfectly.

Before you leave the office, you’ll be fitted with a temporary bridge until your permanent one is
ready.

Second Visit: Permanent Restoration

Once your dental bridge has arrived, you’ll visit your dentist a second time to remove your
temporary bridge and place the final restoration. Dental bridges aren’t removeable, so your
dentist will use a permanent solution to fit the bridge in your mouth [2].

You may receive a professional teeth cleaning before your permanent bridge to ensure bacteria
won’t be trapped underneath the restoration. Your dentist will also want to ensure the bridge
fits properly, so you may need to come in one final time to confirm the fit is comfortable.

After: Caring for Your Dental Bridge

You’ll be able to resume your normal activities once completing the procedure for your dental
bridge, unless you received local anesthesia during your bridge placement, in which case you’ll
need to avoid eating or drinking until the numbness goes away.

You’ll need time to adjust to your new restoration in regards to speaking, eating, and drinking.
However, your normal oral care habits will stay the same, including brushing and flossing,
visiting your dentist, and eating a healthy diet.

A dental bridge can last for ten years or longer with proper care, so be sure to care for your new
restoration!

Getting a dental bridge can help you avoid teeth shifting after tooth loss and restore the
function of your smile. If you’re missing teeth, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with your
dentist to discuss your options for replacing them. A dental bridge could be right for you!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/a/anesthesia-and-sedation
2. https://www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/patient-care-definitions

The post What to Expect During and After Your Dental Bridge Procedure appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Think again. It can be nearly impossible for even the best brushers to get all the plaque and food particles out of their teeth. This is because teeth such as the molars can be deeply grooved, making them the perfect place for bacteria to get trapped.

A professional cleaning does more than step up your brushing routine. Here’s why a dental deep cleaning is necessary for all of us!

Impossible to Get all The Spaces

How conscious are you of getting all the necessary spaces when you’re brushing your teeth? Each tooth needs to be brushed on every side. For the majority of your teeth, you won’t be able to reach every side of the tooth. This is where floss comes in to help remove plaque and food debris that may have gotten stuck from teeth that are next to each other.

During your two minutes of brushing, being aware of all the surfaces of your teeth is important. Your dentist can further facilitate a healthy mouth by doing a deep cleaning during your regular checkup and let you know what you’re missing, therefore helping you improve your brushing routine. Your dentist will also remove plaque from those tight spaces you can’t get to with your toothbrush to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Plaque Can Turn into Tartar

Tartar is a mineral substance that builds up on your teeth when plaque is not removed. The plaque essentially hardens, turning into tartar. Once you have tartar in your mouth, it will need to be professionally removed.

Since tartar typically builds up just below the gumline, it can begin to irritate gums and even lead to gum disease. It can also cause cavities and tooth staining. Tartar gives plaque a better platform on which to grow, therefore making it more difficult to clean your teeth.

Many adults have tartar to some degree in their mouths, making a dental deep cleaning
necessary to remove the tartar so you can have a healthy smile again. Any place that you miss on your teeth while you’re brushing has the potential to get tartar!

You Want Healthy Teeth for Life

Your teeth are meant to last you your entire lifetime. Although teeth have the potential to
weaken as you get older if you have an underlying health condition, insufficient mineral intake, or poor oral hygiene, this isn’t what’s meant to happen to your teeth. Your teeth can remain strong and healthy for a lifetime with the right care.

Replacing a tooth can be costly and time-consuming when you factor in any additional
maintenance and dentist visits. Going to the dentist regularly can help prevent tooth loss, gum disease, sensitive teeth, tooth decay, and even catch oral cancer early.

Why put off the dentist now when you could have a healthy, worry-free smile for life?
Getting your teeth professionally cleaned is a habit everyone needs to make. From removing plaque to helping you improve your brushing routine to giving you a healthy smile for life, your professional dentist does more than simply remove stains during your deep cleaning. Make an appointment today to have your best smile!

The post Why Is a Dental Deep Cleaning Necessary? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.