3 Signs You Might Need Dentures

Dentures are removable devices that act as prosthetic teeth. If you're missing any teeth, then you're likely a candidate for dentures. Dentures have both cosmetic and practical functions. They improve your appearance while also helping to restore your ability to speak and chew. Dentures aren't something to be ashamed of. In fact, 36 million Americans wear dentures. Think that you should be wearing dentures? Here are some signs that you might need dentures:

You have red, tender, swollen or bleeding gums.If your gums are red, tender, swollen or bleeding, then you may be experiencing the telltale symptoms of gum inflammation. Gum disease is the culprit behind approximately 70 percent of tooth loss in adults. At some point in their lifetime, three out of four people will experience gum disease, from its milder, early stage of gingivitis to its more severe stage of periodontal disease. According to Dr. Bryan Murray, gum disease does not mean that dentures are inevitable, but if left untreated, it can progress to the point of bone loss, tooth loss, and in turn, dentures.

You have loose or shifting teeth.If your teeth are loose or shifting or if the gap is in between your teeth is getting wider, then you may have bone loss resulting from advanced gum disease. Advanced gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a "silent killer" in the dental world because you can't see it happening until it's possibly too late. Your dentist will have to do extensive periodontal treatment, which unfortunately, may result in the extraction of the teeth affected by the diseased area.

You have a bad toothache.Extreme tooth pain can be a sign of advanced tooth decay that's progressed so much that it's attacking the nerve in the center of the tooth. If the tooth decay is caught early, it may be easily treated with a simply dental filling. If, however, the tooth decay is so extensive a dentist cannot salvage any of the tooth, then it will have to be extracted.

If you have any of these symptoms, then it's time to call your dentist. In fact, it's recommended that you visit the dentist every six months in order to maintain good oral health. Even if you brush and floss every day at home, it is still important to keep up with these semi-annual appointments. They will help your dentist catch any decay or gum disease in the early stages, which will prevent the factors that lead to dentures.