Understanding Denture Breakage
Explore the factors that contribute to denture breakage and learn essential tips to keep your false teeth intact and functional.
Overview
Dentures are a set of artificial teeth that can replace some or all your teeth. They are often used by people who have lost their teeth due to gum disease, accidents, or aging. Artificial teeth can provide stability and functionality in many cases while also looking very similar to natural teeth. But despite being made from composite resin, porcelain, acrylic resin, and acrylic, there are some ways in which you could damage your device and wind up with a broken set.
Types of breakage
The most common type of breakage is the chipping or cracking of your false teeth. This is generally caused by biting down on something too hard, which can be difficult to avoid in daily life. Over time, many people experience minor chipping around their gums and throughout their teeth. If you’re not yet suffering from serious damage, it’s important to know that even small chips are vulnerable to breaking completely off later as they get caught in more tightly fitted spaces between your real and fake teeth. Once broken away completely, there’s no getting them back.
How long should dentures last?
This is a very common question for people. Unfortunately, no magic number can be given because factors like hygiene and medical conditions can play into how long they will last. Each person’s oral health and overall health are different, so it would be impossible to set a time frame for everyone.
With that disclaimer being said, artificial teeth tend to have an average lifespan of seven to ten years. This is a very broad range, though as mentioned earlier, some patients might get significantly more wear out of their teeth than others depending on their health and lifestyle.
If you’re noticing issues with your current teeth, make an appointment for consultation sooner rather than later – waiting too long may make existing issues even more pronounced or create new problems that could require costly treatment in the future.
How you can protect them from damage
To prevent your artificial teeth from breaking, be sure to follow these simple but important tips: Clean your teeth thoroughly every day. Stains and buildup can cause weakness over time, so it’s essential that you clean them in accordance with instructions given by your dentist. Don’t wear them if they’re cracked or damaged — repair or replace them immediately.
Take care of your teeth when you eat and drink. Avoid chewing on ice, hard candies, or crunchy foods with your teeth, as these can damage them. If your artificial teeth are loose after eating or drinking, immediately get it looked at. Also, be sure to avoid hot liquids; in fact, let your teeth cool before cleaning them so that they don’t crack under pressure.
Speak with with your dentist today
Proper denture care is critical to maintain the life of your dentures. If you have dentures, but have some questions about their care, call your dentist today to schedule an appointment. Routine appointments can inspect the dentures and your underlying gums to ensure that everything is in good condition to keep your smile looking great and make sure you are comfortable.
Request an appointment here: https://mitchellvillefamilydentistry.com or call Mitchellville Family Dentistry at (301) 202-3499 for an appointment in our Glenn Dale office.
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