If you’ve gotten dentures, you might think that you never need to go to a dentist again. In reality you need to see a dentist every year, even if you don’t have any teeth. A dentist treats much more than just teeth. They are in charge of your overall oral health. Here are some reasons you need to see a dentist when you have dentures.
Check for Bone Loss
When you have your annual visit with your dentist, they will probably take x-rays. Why take pictures of your mouth if you don’t have any teeth to show? Because the x-ray will also show the health and shape of your jawbone. If you are experiencing bone loss, it could be due to the wear of your dentures or something more serious like advanced periodontal disease.
Check for Denture Fit
Dentures can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, depending on the quality, type of manufacture, and the wear of the patient. Most of the time you won’t need to worry about getting new dentures for many years. But if you have too many jaw or gum changes, your dentures may stop fitting correctly long before that. There are some adjustments that can be made to your dentures to help them fit better without the expense of buying new ones.
Check Gum Health
Do you brush your gums and tongue, even though you don’t have any teeth? Most denture wearers don’t. If you use a therapeutic mouthwash, you’re in better shape than most, but most people use a basic mouthwash that has no health benefits. The combination of these two common issues can lead to advanced gum disease.
As you can see, it is very important that you see a dentist regularly, even if you have dentures. If you haven’t seen a dentist in awhile, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
