Find Your Smile Again, Before You Have to Replace it!

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Friday, 10 October 2008

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By:Charles Kassotis

When your natural teeth begin to fall out, it is time to think about replacing them. This is usually done with dentures. Dentures are false teeth that are made to look like real teeth so that you have a natural and attractive smile. There is very little stigma attached to having dentures anymore, as many people have them now. There are two different types of dentures. One kind is called complete and the other kind is known as immediate. Each has its purpose, but when all of your teeth are gone, most people prefer the complete dentures. These are the “conventional” dentures that most people are familiar with; they are the dentures that look like a set of teeth.

Immediate dentures are more like individual teeth. When people start losing their teeth, one at time, immediate dentures can be put in place to fill in the spot. Sometimes these are used for people who have had their teeth knocked out in an accident while playing sports or in a car accident. These individual dentures may need adjusting, though, after a while. When a tooth falls out, the gums usually swell. It registers with the body as an injury, and so the body will work to heal the gums. This often causes the gums to shrink. When the gums shrink, it means that your immediate dentures no longer fit properly. You may need them realigned so that they look more natural and attractive.

After a few months, when the gums have all healed, many people choose to switch to the complete dentures. These dentures look like a full set of teeth. Even if all of the natural teeth are gone, some people prefer to use the immediate dentures for a few months before transitioning to the complete. This is because when the gums shrink, it can affect the fit of the complete dentures as well. By using immediate dentures initially, and then switching after the mouth is “reset,” the person ensures that his or her new teeth will fit properly, and that everything is in order.

Interestingly enough, for a while many people had their dentures stained slightly so that they were off white. This was because if they were too white, people would think it unnatural and know they were dentures. However, now, due to the growing popularity of bleaching the teeth, many people choose not to have their dentures stained to look “natural.” Because so many people now have bright white teeth, there is no reason to try to change the way dentures look in order to “fit in.”

Keeping your dentures clean is important, as dirty dentures can lead to bad breath and an unattractive-looking mouth. Proper care of your dentures will be explained to you when you get them, and you should follow all directions for care as closely and carefully as possible. When you do clean your dentures, make sure that you do so over a soft, thick towel. That way, if you drop them, they are less likely to break. You should carefully loosen the large pieces of food, and you should follow the remaining directions from your dentist for cleaning and storage.

Article Source: http://www.dailynewarticles.com

Learn more about dentures, and many other dental related facts at The Dental Spot