According to the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth, and 120 million are missing at least one tooth. Unfortunately, these numbers are expected to grow over the next 20 years.
Missing teeth can be especially harmful to older adults as it can limit their ability to eat nutritious foods while also increasing the risks of obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and even cancer.
At Heroes Dental, we want to ensure your oral health is excellent at any age. That’s why we offer dentures to help improve the quality of not only your teeth but your overall health and quality of life as well.
Our experienced dentists understand it’s not every day that you get dentures and that you might have some questions and concerns regarding the process. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about dentures that our clients ask.
FAQs About Dentures
Q: Are dentures only for people that need a full set of teeth?
A: No, dentures vary from person to person. Some sets of dentures are used to replace only a portion of teeth while others can replace a full arch of teeth.
Q: Are dentures painful?
A: There will be some mild discomfort when you first begin to use your dentures and it may take some time getting used to them. However, once you get accustomed to your new teeth, the pain should subside. The time it takes to make this adjustment varies from person to person.
It is worth noting that if you have had some teeth removed prior to placing in your new dentures, the extraction site(s) will be tender and will require time to heal. It is important to visit your dentist regularly throughout this process to ensure that everything is healing properly.
Q: Will I have trouble eating? Will my diet need to change?
There is a learning curve to living with dentures and it may take some time before you are completely used to wearing them. Your diet may need to change a bit in order to help you avoid eating foods that can get stuck in your dentures or which can cause them to fall out of place.
Food that needs to be avoided include:
While this can seem a bit dramatic, there are plenty of options still available to you including:
Dentures do not mean the end of delicious foods, you just have to learn to eat more carefully.
Q: Will wearing dentures affect the way I talk?
In the beginning, it will take some time to get acclimated to your new teeth. But as time goes by, your tongue and mouth will get used to moving with the dentures in place.
If you would like to work on your speech with your new dentures, repeating things to yourself in front of a mirror or reading out loud should help.
Q: How do I clean my dentures?
Q: Do I sleep with my dentures at night?
You should avoid keeping your dentures on for more than 24 hours without proper oral hygiene. Dentures create pressure on your gums and can cause sores when left in for too long, thus they should be taken off every night to give your gums a rest.
If, for any reason you need to keep them on an entire day, make time to clean both your mouth and dentures.
At night, place your set in denture-soaking solution, and make sure to rinse them thoroughly before placing them back in your mouth.
Q: What does it mean to “reline” my dentures?
If, after some time, your dentures no longer fit your mouth, it is likely that you need to reline your dentures.
The reline procedure is when the underside of the dentures are reshaped so that they fit in your mouth comfortably once again. Normally, denture relines happen every few years, or as the dentures become loose.
Q: How long can I expect my dentures to last?
Dentures can last for a significant amount of time, between five to ten years, if taken care of correctly. It will be important to contact your Heroes Dental team for yearly adjustments as needed.
Q: How much do dentures cost?
The cost of dentures can vary based on a number of factors, including:
Some dental insurance providers will cover some or all of the costs of the dentures. However, you will need to contact your insurance provider to get the exact details of what will be covered.
Understandably, a full set of dentures will be more expensive than a partial set.
If you would like more info about specific cost, our Mcallen dentists at Heroes Dental are more than able to guide you in the right direction.