When first getting your dentures, you might’ve been excited about having a full smile once again. You were able to show it off more confidently while having an easier time eating your favorite foods. Although you may be enjoying your restored grin, having checkups with your dentist is still crucial. These visits are more than just teeth, so here are three reasons they help protect your oral health.
1.) Preventive Care Is More Than Just Teeth
Oral healthcare providers do so much more than just look at teeth! While these structures are taken care of during a routine cleaning, everything around them is as well.
Your gums, tongue, and other stuff deserve just as much love and attention, and your dentist gives them the time of day. That way, you can avoid dental problems, like gum disease. In fact, this condition can make your dentures uncomfortable and ill-fitting because they make the soft tissues of your mouth inflamed and tender.
2.) Your Dentures Can Get Relined
Missing teeth often causes jawbone loss because there aren’t any roots stimulating the jaw. Your body will start to take minerals from it and use them elsewhere, but this natural process makes it weaker over time.
Thankfully, dentures help slow this, but they don’t fully prevent it. Although it won’t be as fast, your mouth will change. Your restoration may fit oddly or slip more often. While this can make it harder for you to eat or smile as comfortably as before, you can get it relined! Your provider will add material to the base and adjust it; that way, it sits snugly once again.
3.) You Can Protect Your Dentures
Not only will you be able to preserve your oral health, but your dentures will be as well. After your dentist ensures your mouth is problem-free, they’ll then turn their focus to your dental prosthetic.
Hardened plaque will be removed, reducing your risk of any problems. Not only that, but minor stains may also be polished off, damage to them might be repaired, and you can learn when you need a replacement. You will be able to get advice about your oral hygiene routine as well, so you can do your best job while at home in between visits.
In the end, just because you have full dentures doesn’t mean you can skip checkups and cleanings. Remember the three reasons above and feel confident knowing you are doing your best to keep your smile in great shape.
About the Author
Dr. Sean Brown earned his dental degree from the University of Buffalo. He has since completed his AEGD residency at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Brown is happy to help restore smiles in the Doylestown community with reliable tooth replacements like dentures. By customizing your results, you can feel confident knowing your results will look lifelike and be comfortable. If you want tips on keeping them in great shape, schedule an appointment or call his office at (215) 348-2224.