Dentures are one of the most effective and efficient ways of replacing a lot of teeth at once, which is part of why they’re also one of the most popular. However, people often assume that they’re really only necessary for elderly people.
While seniors have a higher rate of tooth loss than the general population, they’re far from the only ones who could deal with this issue. Here are a few groups of people that could also benefit from what dentures have to offer.
Expectant Parents
One of the under-discussed aspects of pregnancy is its effects on the teeth. The growing fetus requires a lot of nutrients, so much so that many expectant parents experience tooth loss during pregnancy.
Dentures are a quick and efficient way of dealing with this issue. There’s no surgery necessary for them to be effective, which means less healing time and no need for sedatives that could cause problems during pregnancy.
Teenagers
Teenagers don’t lose teeth at quite the same rate as older people, but it can happen sometimes. Athletes are particularly susceptible to accidents that can damage the teeth, necessitating their replacement.
However, younger patients’ jaws are still growing, which means that getting dental implants isn’t possible for them. Dental bridges are an option, but they require the permanent modification of healthy teeth—a problem if they’d like to switch to dental implants once they come of age.
Dentures can therefore be an excellent option for younger patients who want a dental implant when they’re older. Even if they’ve lost a single tooth, a small partial denture (or “flipper,” as they’re sometimes called) can be a useful stopgap for patients of this kind.
Diabetics
People with diabetes face myriad health challenges, one of which is an increased risk of developing gum disease. This means that they also have a higher chance of tooth loss than the average person.
Diabetics are often a little bit concerned about the prospects of getting dental implants, as healing after the surgery can be intimidating for them. Dentures are much easier for these patients to handle, provided that they’re able to get their gum disease to a manageable level.
As you can see, dentures can be useful for all kinds of people. If you’re dealing with tooth loss, talk to your dentist—you could be one of them!
About the Author
Dr. Joseph Spades believes that everyone ought to have a smile they can take true pride in and is always overjoyed to see the differences that dentures can make in the right person’s life. No matter the state of your oral health, he believes that there’s a treatment out there that can help you. Dr. Spades received his dental degree from the University of Tennessee and continues his education in dentistry to this very day!
If you have any questions about dentures, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (870) 931-6323.