Are Your Dentures More Than 3 Years Old?
Did you know that your
dentures need to be replaced at least every 3 years?
This should be no surprise! Would you expect clothes, that you
wore all day, everyday, to last
20 years? Even if they do, there would definitely be considerable
wear and tear. Certainly, they would not fit in the same
way they once did. You should expect no less from your dentures!
- The gums and ridges of your mouth change over time while dentures
do not.
- A denture cannot do its job properly for more than 3 years.
- Wearing the same dentures for more than 3 years can cause
changes in your mouth that are often irreversible. For instance,
a bad fitting denture can cause the ridges to shrink faster. Therefore,
the denture becomes loose. In that case, it
then becomes that more difficult to fit future dentures.
Bad
Oral Hygiene
Food particles can get
stuck in old or dirty dentures. This breeds bacteria, which
can weaken the denture and lead to bad breath.
Due to the porous
nature of the acrylic or porcelain from which dentures are made
and the natural changes occurring in the mouth, even the best made
denture should be replaced every 3 years.
Denture teeth
are just as susceptible to the destructive effects of plaque as
natural teeth. Once plaque hardens into calculus,
it can present an irresistible invitation to bacterial problems,
gum disease and irritations, and a range of digestive problems. Daily
denture care and yearly professional check ups will help to maintain
your oral health and appearance.
Premature Aging
Inferior denture teeth
can wear excessively. This "shortening" of the teeth
leads to a shortening of the face. That will increase the
wrinkles around your mouth, cheeks and chin. The end result? You
look older.
Over time, the ridge tissue
will shrink, no longer supporting the denture like it should. An
unstable denture can make the ridges shrink even more and at a
faster rate.
Annual Examination
At least once a year,
your should make an appointment with your dentist for a thorough
examination of your entire mouth. Such an examination provides
your dentist with an opportunity to correct any problems that may
have appeared due to natural and progressive changes in your oral
structures that can cause shifting of the dentures, undue pressure
on supporting ridges, or damage to oral structures and bony projections.
This step is crucial to maintaining correct alignment of your
dentures as well as good oral health and healthy ridges. At that
time, we also recommend an annual oral cancer screening. In
addition, regular professional cleaning and polishing will help
to prevent
disagreeable tastes and odors from forming on your dentures.
