When you think of a dentist, you think of them examining and repairing teeth. After all, the word dentist comes from the Latin “dens,” meaning “tooth.” When you got that last tooth extracted and your full dentures, you thought your days of visiting the dentist were over.
However, regular appointments with your dentist are still necessary! Why should you continue to see them? Check out these three important reasons!
Reason #1: Your Dentist Looks at More Than Just Teeth.
Did you know that your dentist isn’t just interested in your teeth alone? Every time you go in for an appointment, they examine your mouth’s soft tissues for signs of oral cancer, the sixth leading type of cancer in the US. When caught early on, the chances of survival increase dramatically, which means that the more often you’re checked for oral cancer, the more likely you are to catch it in the beginning stages of development and have successful treatment.
Reason #2: Your Gums and Jawbone Still Matter.
In addition to natural teeth, your dentist is concerned about the health of your gum tissue and jawbone, even if you have no teeth left. These structures serve an important purpose for dentures—they provide the base for the dentures to hold onto.
If you don’t visit the dentist regularly, your gums could become infected with bacteria, which leads to red, sensitive gums and a deteriorating jawbone. This process alters how your dentures fit and feel, and this infection, called gum disease, raises your risk of serious medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and more.
Other than functionality, your gums and jawbone also provide your face with an aesthetic structure. As they diminish, your face becomes sunken with or without dentures, making you appear older. In other words, if you want to retain a more youthful facial shape for as long as possible, you need to make sure your mouth stays healthy and your dentures fit properly.
Reason #3: Denture Fit Changes Over Time.
After a few years of wearing your dentures, you may find that your dentures don’t stay in place as well as they used to. They haven’t changed—your oral cavity has. Following tooth loss, the jawbone slowly loses density and changes shape. As a result, dentures need to be adjusted or relined on a somewhat frequent basis to stay comfortable and stable. About every five years or so, the dentures must be replaced with a new set to maintain the proper fit.
As long as you would like to have a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile, you’ll need to meet with your dentist on a regular basis—even if you have a full denture. So, get back into the habit and schedule your next visit today!
About the Author
As a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. John Petty has been practicing in the Tullahoma community for more than 20 years. To him, building trust and lasting relationships with patients is part of the foundation of lifelong oral health. As a result, most of his team members have worked with him for more than a decade, and three of his children have pursued dental careers. To schedule an appointment at Petty Dental, you can contact the team online or call 931-454-9499.