Around 178 million people in the US have at least one tooth missing and of them, about 15% wear dentures or get a new pair of dentures made every year. According to the American College of Prosthodontics, 3,372 prosthodontics were active in the country as of 2010.
Even among those wearing dentures, an article on Dental Economics says, “most have adapted to their ill-fitting, 20-plus-year old dentures, or they are quietly unhappy, only wearing their dentures for the occasional night-on-the-town.” This leads to many other mouth related problems and the number of patients are increasing every day. Here are a few things you should know about dentures.
Dentures Have Surface Pores
With the naked eye, the surface of dentures looks solid and unbroken, but the pores are clearly visible under a microscope. This means that brushing might not be enough to clean them or to reach the bacteria that might have accumulated in the crevices. This is why it is very important to prevent exposure to microbes that can cause oral diseases. Dentures can also lead to bad breath if left uncleaned, and it is necessary to ensure proper diagnosis to avoid gaps in the fillings, according to experts at Revitalizing Smiles.
Soaking Can Kill 99.9% Germs
Many people believe that all methods of cleaning produce the same results and opt for the easiest option. However, this can be a dangerous practice. Using dental hygiene products for overnight soaking can kill up to 99.9% of the bacteria. You can also do a quick soak during day time but it may not be as effective as overnight soaking.
They Can Cause Health Risks for Patients with Dry Mouth
A person above the age of 65 years, takes 3 medications in a day on average. This can lead to a problem of dry mouth. When it comes to bacteria, saliva, which is the first line of defense, is missing in this case. Such people should be very particular about the cleanliness of their dentures. Dental professionals should give special attention to such patients.
Older Denture Wearers Have More Bacteria in the Mouth
The average age of a denture wearer in the United States is 17.6 years and it has been reported a total of 57% of the wearers don’t go for routine checkups. However, studies show that a larger number of bacteria are found in older people. This because of their less effective immune system and reduced saliva flow.
If Not Taken Care, They Can Lead to Other Problems
There are around 60 million patients with dentures but more than half of them don’t go for checkups because of feasibility and affordability. This can lead to other issues like Angular Cheilitis and Leukoplakia. The best way to remain healthy and feel good is to get a routine check done and consult your dentist regarding how to take care of dentures.
