“Everyone in my family has dentures!” Do you feel doomed to end up in dentures? It may surprise you to know that your dental health is not an entirely genetic trait passed down. Just because your mother and father ended up with dentures does not mean you will. In fact, your oral health has to due primarily with your routines and attention to teeth. It is very possible to have your natural teeth for life. You may never need to rely on dentures if you take good care of your teeth and gums.
Signs You’re Doomed For Dentures
- You skip the dentist. Your dentist can see problems before they cause major damage and require serious treatment. See your dentist every six months for optimum oral health.
- You’ve lost teeth already. If you’ve lost adult teeth, for whatever reasons, dentures may be in your future.
- Your gums bleed. Bleeding, swollen gums are a sign of gingivitis, or gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss which can lead to dentures.
- Your smile is developing gaps. If the space between your teeth is increasing, you may be experiencing bone loss and gum disease.
- You have tooth pain. If you have regular toothaches that remain untreated, the issues may develop to the point of irreversible damage.
- Your mouth hurts when you eat certain foods. If hard, chewy, sticky foods make your jaw ache, you may be a future candidate for dentures.
- You forget to floss. One third of your tooth surface is unreachable without floss. If you skip the floss, you’re setting your mouth up for a health failure.
How To Keep A Healthy Mouth
If you think you’re at risk for tooth loss, fear not; there are steps you can take to keep your teeth healthy! Regular visits to the dentist and limiting bad habits will help. Stop smoking, and limit your coffee/juice/soda intake to keep your mouth in good shape. Make sure to brush and floss twice daily and use antiseptic mouthwash. Following these tips can increase your oral health and prevent a destiny of dentures.
Schedule an appointment with David Wilhite, DDS today!