Everyone wants to have a healthy, bright, toothy smile when they are advanced in years. However, the reality is that dentures are often the destination of many older patients. Dentures can be uncomfortable and expensive, but for many older patients, they offer the only solution to a great smile and the ability to eat and speak.
There are many reasons why adult patients lose teeth, some sooner than others. Some of the reasons for tooth loss are natural causes like the aging process. As you age, your bones, including your jaws and teeth, weaken and deteriorate, resulting in tooth loss. Sometimes permanent teeth are lost due to trauma to the mouth where a tooth fell out or broke.
A common reason why a patient’s smile is ruined by tooth loss is poor or improper care of their teeth and gums.
Bad decisions for oral health
It may not sound like a big deal if you occasionally smoke a cigarette or “forget” to brush and floss. However, simply doing or not doing something once can lead to multiple instances of poor oral hygiene, which in turn can lead to bad habits. Here are some bad habits that can affect your oral health over time and increase your chances of being an older patient requiring dentures:
Of smoking. Not only does tobacco give you bad breath and yellow teeth, it can also destroy gum tissue and lead to possible serious gum disease. Severe gum disease can lead to destruction of the jaw and loss of teeth.
Inconsistent oral hygiene routines at home. Skipping just a day or night of flossing or brushing your teeth can allow germs and debris left in your mouth to break down and form plaque that destroys cavities.
Inadequate oral hygiene routines. Even if you floss and brush your teeth twice a day, there could be some bacteria lost. On the other hand, a too harsh and rigorous oral hygiene routine can scratch the enamel of the teeth and damage the soft tissue of the gums, making them both more vulnerable to cavities and disease.
Poor diet Many patients know that a diet full of sugary sweets and fried snacks is bad for the teeth and the waistline. However, cheap, convenient, and good-tasting food is hard to resist. Drinking water immediately afterward and / or brushing your teeth after a meal or snack can help mitigate the potential negative effects of sugars.
Not drinking enough water If the first thing you look for is a soda, even a diet soda, when you are thirsty, you are exposing your teeth and gums to excess sugar.
Not going to the dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup can increase the chances of gum disease and cavities. When proper preventive dental measures are not taken, restorative dental procedures will be necessary to prevent them from destroying the smile.
On the other hand, patients who take care of their teeth and gums, including proper oral hygiene at home, go to the dental office regularly and do not smoke or eat an unhealthy diet, are more likely to keep their smile for much longer.
Whether you’re experiencing any type of mouth discomfort or not, if it’s been more than six months since your last dental check-up, contact your dentist today to schedule an appointment.