Did you know that having fewer teeth does not equal needing fewer dental checkups? People with full or partial dentures in Surrey often assume that because all or most of their teeth have been replaced, regular dental appointments are a thing of the past. However, regular appointments with your dentist or denturist in Surrey as just as important after getting dentures as they were before having dentures. Here’s why!
Preventing Gum Disease
You may not have all your teeth, but you still have gums, and keeping them healthy is just as important now as it was before. This means cleaning your dentures every day (most people choose to do this overnight), brushing the gums and the remaining teeth, and visiting your dentist regularly.
Screening For Oral Cancer
During your regular dental appointments, your dentist isn’t only examining your teeth and gums, but they also screen to check for signs of oral cancer. Although rare, the odds of oral cancer including cancer of the lips, gums, cheeks, and tongue begin increasing after the age of 45. Early diagnosis is crucial to treatment, therefore, regular dental checkups should not be prolonged or avoided.
Keeping Remaining Teeth Healthy
If you haven’t had all your teeth extracted to accommodate a complete set of dentures, then you need to continue to be diligent about caring for your remaining teeth. Above and beyond the need for regular dental cleanings to keep teeth healthy, the condition of your remaining teeth will impact the fit of your denture. Should the condition of your teeth begin to affect the fit of your denture, corrective action may be required.
Maintaining Your Denture
Dentures are very durable but they need to be properly cared for to maintain fit and function. In addition to checking up on your natural teeth and gums, your denturists will also examine your denture, looking for any signs of weakness or damage. This type of regular maintenance, along with good care practices at home, can add years to the lifespan of your dentures.
Monitoring Your Denture Fit
Post-extraction, your jawbone loses the support of the tooth root. While implant-supported dentures can replicate that support, without it, your jawbone may slowly begin to change shape thereby impacting the fit of the denture. Poorly fitted dentures are not only challenging to speak and chew with, but they can also leave sores in your mouth which can lead to severe infections.
Denturists in Surrey have several tools at their disposal to help prolong the life of your denture and accommodate the shifting shape of your jaw and gums leaving you with a better and more comfortable fit. Fewer teeth don’t mean fewer trips to the dentist. Keep your smile healthy by keeping up with your regular dental checkups.
