Danger #1: Dentures increase your risk of heart disease and oral cancer
While tooth loss may seem like a small problem compared with other health issues, it is often the first sign of bigger problems for many people and can put them at higher risk for heart disease and oral cancer.
When dentures don’t properly fit, bacteria can lie in areas behind them and lead to chronic infections in the gum supporting the denture. Moreover, the poor fitting denture rubs and cause gum sores, making it harder to eat and maintain proper nutrition. Research has shown that all these complications are factors that contribute to oral cancer.
Then there is heart disease, which has been linked to gum disease. When dentures do not fit correctly, you have a higher chance of gum infections.
Dentures cause more problems than just being uncomfortable and unattractive.
Danger #2: Dentures May Reduce Your Life Span
Who would ever think that your teeth could affect how long you live? But truthfully, many people with poor fitting dentures or multiple missing back teeth have shorter life spans of up to 10 years due to poor eating habits and stomach problems. They tend to eat more processed foods and experience many other health problems related to malnutrition.
Today, patients have alternatives to dentures and one of them is dental implants. People who get dental implants can finally eat the healthy foods they have been missing such as apples, corn on the cob, and steak.
Danger #3: Bone Loss Makes You Look Older Quicker
Dental implants assist you in looking and feeling younger because they prevent bone loss. By preventing bone loss that would normally occur with the loss of teeth, your facial structure remains normal and intact. The chances of wrinkling and the look of old age before your time is less likely.
Q: What are dental implants?
A: The more commonly used dental implants are root-form implants. Since this substitute replaces the tooth and the tooth root, this type of dental implant stays in place and doesn’t move around.
Q: What are the benefits of dental implants?
A: Here are three examples of the many benefits:
More confidence in social situations. Most patients love their new implants, because of their improved appearance, function, comfort, and health. You’ll never worry about your dentures flying out when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or when you eat.
The joy of eating restored. Wearing an upper denture can prevent someone from really tasting food, as the roof of the mouth is covered. With dental implants, it is possible to enjoy the taste of food again.
Other teeth will not be affected because of missing teeth. Since replacing missing teeth with implant supported crowns and bridges do not involve the adjacent natural teeth, they are not compromised or damaged.
Q: Am I a candidate for dental implants?
A: Almost anyone missing one or more teeth and in general good health is a candidate for dental implants. There are a few medical conditions that can undermine the success of implant treatment, such as uncontrolled diabetes.
Quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement is more often a factor in qualifying for dental implants than medical conditions. Medical advances have made it possible for thousands of patients who would not previously have been considered candidates to have successful implant procedures.
Q: How painful is it to get dental implants?
A: Most of our patients report that they feel absolutely no pain during the procedure. For the fearful patient, special techniques in sedation dentistry are used during treatment. From laughing gas to conscious sedation, it is possible to create a practically pain-free experience.
Q: How do I know if I’m too old for implants?
A: Your overall health is much more important to look at than your age. We currently have patients from 20 years old to 80 + years old who receive this treatment.
CREDITS
story by DR. WILLIAM NERESTANT
BIO: William Nerestant, DDS, PA believes everyone can have healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. While serving in the Air Force as a Preventive Dental Officer, he received “The Air Force Achievement Medal” for his outstanding leadership, professional skills, and dedication to his patients. He currently practices at Midtown Dental in Lakeland.
William Nerestant, DDS, PA
Midtown Dental
607 S Missouri Avenue, Lakeland
www.mymidtowndental.com
(863) 688-9001
