Tooth loss becomes more common with age due to factors such as wear and tear, gum disease, and years of smoking taking their toll, leading many people to associate dentures with senior citizens. However, you may not be aware that dentures can often be used to restore the smiles of younger adults who have lost teeth as well. Here’s a brief guide to how these appliances can help replace the teeth of adults of any age.
How Can Younger People Need Dentures?
Tooth loss can happen at any age, and it often occurs due to oral injuries or untreated oral infections like gum disease or tooth decay. Unfortunately, many young people do not practice proper oral hygiene, and many others don’t wear mouthguards when they participate in contact sports or other activities with higher risks of dental injuries. In some cases, a person can lose many teeth due to an unfortunate accident. In any of these circumstances, almost anyone with missing teeth can receive dentures as long as they are in good oral health.
How Can Dentures Help Young People?
Unfortunately, tooth loss is associated with a number of negative effects on a person’s self-image as well as their oral and overall health. Dentures can provide young people with benefits such as:
Bolstering Confidence
Missing teeth can make a person much less eager to show off their smile, which makes it harder for them to meet people, win trust, make friends, and close sales. Dentures can replace one, many, or all of a person’s teeth with lifelike restorations so they can grin proudly once again.
Improved Nutrition
Extensive tooth loss can make it harder to chew tough or fibrous foods, which can lead some patients to neglect eating such healthy items as fresh meat and raw fruits and vegetables. Dentures can significantly increase a patient’s chewing power so they can enjoy a more diverse diet.
Protect Remaining Teeth
Teeth maintain their alignment in part by bracing against one another, so the loss of even one tooth can make it easier for the others to drift out of place. Wearing dentures can help a patient keep their teeth straight and healthy.
Incredible Comfort
Modern dentures are so comfortable that patients often forget that they are wearing them at all. However, it’s important to remove, clean, and soak your dentures daily to prevent stains, bad breath, soft tissue irritation, and oral infections.
Dentures can help a younger adult restore their appearance and live a healthier life. After a brief consultation, your dentist will be able to tell if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Gary C. Nawrocki earned his dental doctorate at the University of Florida in 1980 and has completed thousands of hours of continuing education over the decades. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office provides general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. To book your denture consultation, contact his office online or dial the front desk at (321) 783-7514.