Historically, myths begin as a way to explain misunderstood concepts. Before humanity learned about weather patterns, they blamed angry gods for storms. Before you learn the truth about dentures for missing teeth, you may believe in the common myths explained below. Knowledge of reality can help you make smarter decisions about your smile and feel better about wearing your dentures properly every day.
Myth #1: Only Old People Get Dentures.
Although the risk of tooth loss does climb as you age, seniors are not the only ones who may need to wear this type of restoration. As oral hygiene improves across age ranges, the number of people requiring full dentures still numbers in the tens of millions of Americans. However, whether you’re an athlete, someone under 65 who was in an accident, or someone who has struggled throughout their life to maintain daily oral hygiene, you may find yourself needing dentures to complete your smile well before you retire—and that’s okay!
Myth #2: Not Many People Have Dentures.
Chances are you won’t easily find someone who is willing to acknowledge that their teeth are prosthetic. They want you to believe their teeth are real and desirable. As a result, it may seem as if few adults under the age of 65 wear dentures at all. The truth is that you may look at these restorations and may not even realize they aren’t natural! Again, tens of millions of Americans don’t have any real teeth left at all. In other words, you don’t have to feel lonely or ashamed if you’re in this situation.
Myth #3: Taking Care of Your Mouth Ends with Dentures.
If you focus only on maintaining your teeth, lacking any real dentition would seem to eliminate the need for oral healthcare. However, your smile also depends on gum health, which means you need to continue taking care of your mouth—even if you have every single one missing.
Myth #4: Soaking Your Dentures at Night Isn’t Crucial Care.
Today’s dentures are designed to fit your mouth precisely and stay comfortably there all day. However, while you sleep, your dentures should not remain in your mouth. You produce much less saliva while you rest, which points to bacterial woes on your prosthetics. Without watery saliva to flush out your mouth, bits of bacteria, food, and plaque can accumulate on your dentures and start an infection. If you soak your dentures overnight, you can more easily keep them fresh and clean.
Life is mysterious enough. You don’t need to believe myths about dentures when the truth is right here for you. Instead of avoiding prosthetics you don’t understand or mistreating your dentures, make sure you have information you need to decide how to get your confident smile back!
About the Practice
At Williamsburg Dental, patients have six locations throughout Lincoln to find the closest one. Our dentists have years of advanced training and love seeing the positive difference smiles make in quality of life. Even those who have lost all their natural teeth can find multiple options and customized treatment so that they can rediscover their confidence. If you need dentures, don’t wait to contact us to schedule an appointment. The sooner you start your journey, the sooner you can smile again!