4 Untrue Myths About Dentures

If you’re considering restoring your smile with the help of dentures, you may be hesitant to get started depending on what you’ve “heard” about these prosthetics. The good news is that many myths out there about false teeth aren’t true. In fact, despite needing to take adequate care of them, the decision to get dentures may be one of the best choices you’ll ever make.  Here are four common myths that may be holding you back, and why you shouldn’t let them stop you from improving your smile!

Myth #1: Dentures Don’t Require Care

When you’ve lost all your natural teeth, dentures may seem like a relief. After all, they can’t get cavities like real teeth can. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to take care of them. To keep your prosthetics looking, feeling, and smelling their best, it’s important that you completely remove them from your mouth and clean them each time you eat.  Carefully scrub the entire denture, including the insides where they rest on your gums. Floss between each tooth and then rinse well before returning them to your mouth.

Additionally, you should still visit your dentist every six months for your biannual exam and cleaning appointments, even if you have no natural teeth. This is to ensure that your prosthetic is in good condition, and that your mouth (including your gums and jawbones) is healthy.

Myth #2: You Can Use One Pair of Dentures Forever

Wouldn’t it be nice if dentures lasted as long as dental implants? Unfortunately, most traditional prosthetics will need to be replaced every five to ten years. For patients who don’t want to deal with the expense or hassle of this, dental implants and implant dentures are an excellent alternative that may cost more up front but are designed to last for many years longer than traditional dentures.

Myth #3: Only Older People Need Dentures

While dentures have become synonymous with older people, the truth is that anyone can get them, no matter how old or young they are. Teeth can be lost for many reasons, including gum disease, injuries, and even genetics, meaning that not everyone who is missing teeth is of a certain age. Thus, if you find yourself missing teeth, don’t be ashamed of needing dentures, regardless of how young you are!

Myth #4: You Can Sleep in Dentures

Finally, though waking up with your dentures already in your mouth may seem like an excellent way to save a little time on your morning routine, dentures were not designed to be slept in. That’s because they can easily dry out while you sleep. The porous material that makes them look and feel like lifelike gum tissue must remain moist in order to prevent warping and cracking, which is why your dentist has instructed you to remove them at night, clean them, and then leave them fully submerged in a glass of water or denture soak until you are ready to wear them again.

Remember, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about dentures, but the good news is that dentures are much easier to wear and care for than you might think. To learn more about these dynamic prosthetics and how they can help improve your smile, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!

About Our Practice

At Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh, our trio of talented dentists is proud to provide a variety of oral health solutions to patients of all ages. If you’re missing more than one tooth, dentures are beautiful, durable restorations that can help restore your smile and your eating and speaking capabilities. To learn more about whether you qualify for treatment, please schedule a consultation with us today by visiting our website or calling us at 412-854-2310.