Do you need to replace a full arch of teeth? Whether it’s on the top or bottom, dentures can help restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile. If you think you would benefit from receiving dentures, our dentist in East Grand Rapids, MI, can help you get started with the process.
Reasons for a Full Arch Replacement
There are a handful of reasons why someone would need to replace a full arch of their teeth. These include, but are not limited to, severe tooth decay, a traumatic dental injury, or if you are already missing multiple teeth. In some cases, one or two natural teeth may need to be removed in order to place a full arch of dentures.
Why You Still Need to See the Dentist
Having good oral health means more than taking care of your teeth. Oral health also includes your gums, tongue, throat, and jawbone. Dentures may , but they don’t protect you against oral cancer or gum disease. Seeing our dentist every six months will help you maintain and improve your oral health.
What to Expect When Wearing Dentures
It’s highly likely that you’ll need to re-learn how to eat and talk with your dentures. You may also notice you have a lisp right after you get your dentures. This goes away for most people when they get used to talking again. It’s important to take out your dentures before you go to sleep so you can give your gums a break.
However, if you had a tooth removed and then your dentures were placed immediately after, then you’ll want to wear them for the next 24 hours straight, even through the night. This gives your gums a chance to heal before being exposed again.
The Power of Partials
In some cases, you may not need a whole arch replaced, maybe you just need something to fill in for four or five teeth. are also an option, and they can help prevent further tooth loss.
Your teeth actually depend on each other to stay in place. They do this by exerting pressure on each adjacent tooth. When a tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth will start to tilt into the open space and will eventually fall out.
How to Get Used to Your Dentures
If you feel like it’s taking you a lot of time to get used to your dentures, don’t worry about it, this is something everyone with dentures goes through. Yours should be custom fit to your mouth, but if they feel uncomfortable for a prolonged period of time, consult your dentist and they can help you find relief.
Your dentures may slip around in your mouth, and this is something that everyone deals with. It may happen when you laugh, sneeze, or cough. When this happens, gently bite down and swallow. This will help you discretely adjust your dentures while in public.
Schedule an Appointment
Our dentist in East Grand Rapids, MI, is accepting new patients. If you are in need of a teeth cleaning or other dental service, you can call us at (616) 458-2048 to schedule an appointment with Richard Elias III, DDS.
