A Truth About False Teeth: Schedule Checkups
Dr. Robert Zeoli looks the subject of dentures square in the mouth on a daily basis. As director of the geriatric-dental clinic at McSweeny Senior Center in Willimantic, Conn., he finds that almost half of his patients have or need dentures, bridges or other tooth replacements.
His patients range in age from 60 to over 100. For many in that age group, he says, dentures and bridgework were as inevitable as gray hairs and wrinkles.
“Most of these people predated preventive dental care and fluoride,” say Zeoli, 71. “Extraction was standard treatment for most dental problems. You got old; you lost your teeth; you got dentures. It was as simple as that. Folks thought getting false teeth was a onetime fix that would take care of all their dental needs.”
The American Dental Assn. says dentures can help restore eating and speaking ability and improve appearance for the 32 million Americans who’ve lost most or all of their natural teeth. And today’s dentures are better fitted, more effective, durable and natural-looking than those of the past. But like everyone else, denture wearers still need regular dental care.
“It’s a commonly held myth that if you have dentures, you never need to go to the dentist,” says Dr. Steven Lepowsky, director of advanced general dentistry at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in Farmington. “In fact, both your mouth and your dentures still need attention. The oral cavity changes as you age. Mouth tissue can reveal signs of disease. Dentures that fit well now may not work in the future.”
Many telltale signs of dentures--including clicking, slipping, floating, odor or stains--are actually results of poor fit or improper denture hygiene. For older adults, loose dentures are more than just an annoyance; they can cause a whole range of physical and emotional problems. Prolonged use of ill-fitting dentures can irritate gums, tongue and cheek, contribute to bone loss and more.
Along with normal mouth changes, health problems such as stroke, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease can all alter dentures’ fit. Medication side effects, such as dry mouth, can make dentures difficult to wear. And families often overlook the importance of refitting or re-sizing dentures for older relatives with more serious conditions, says Mary Crean, speech pathology manager at Masonic Health Care in Wallingford, Conn.
“If an individual develops persistent eating problems, speech problems, complains of discomfort or refuses to wear their dentures, it’s important to schedule a dental consult,” Crean says.
Increased use of dental adhesive is another warning sign.
The ADA offers a few tips:
* To keep dentures clean, brush every day with a nonabrasive denture-care product.
* Before bed, remove dentures and place them in water or denture-cleansing liquid. (Never soak dentures in hot water, which can cause warping.)
