With any medical condition, you often experience warning signs before the situation becomes serious. The same is true when you need dentures.

If you experience the following symptoms, you may need dentures:

• • Missing Teeth – If you already have missing teeth, consider getting dentures to relieve pressure on the remaining teeth. Missing teeth can cause a domino effect and lead to the loss of more teeth as time goes on. Different teeth are meant for different tasks, and missing teeth can force the others to do jobs for which they’re not suited. Missing teeth can also lead to the jawline sagging.
  • Loose Teeth – Loose teeth, or gaps opening between your teeth, can be a sign of gum disease. You may be losing bone in your jaw from the disease. If this bone loss becomes severe, your denturist may decide to have your teeth extracted.
  • Swollen Gums – Swollen, tender, or bleeding gums are signs of other gum diseases like gingivitis. Diseases like these are a leading cause of tooth loss in many adults. Gum disease may not always foreshadow tooth loss and dentures to replace them, but if left untreated it can lead to tooth loss and other serious conditions. It is important to get help from a denturist as early as possible.
  • Toothaches – Constant toothaches can indicate that your teeth have decayed to a point where the nerves at their centre are affected. If caught early, teeth may be saved with fillings, but in advanced stages, a denturist may decide the teeth need to be removed and replaced.
  • Missed Dental Appointments – It is important to see a denturist every six months to get your teeth cleaned and examined. Neglecting your oral health can lead to complications, while maintaining regular dental checkups lets you stay ahead of any potential issues.
  • Difficulty Eating – If eating hard or chewy foods becomes painful or difficult, your teeth might have damage (e.g. cracks or cavities). You may still save your teeth if you act early enough, but for long-term problems, you could need dentures.
  • Indigestion – Difficulty chewing can also lead to indigestion as food passes unchewed to your stomach, forcing your body struggling to break it down. A dentist can help you find out if your teeth are contributing to indigestion.

None of these signs necessarily mean that teeth will need replacement, but it is a possibility. Contact Smiles Denture Care Centre at (519) 457-2800 for checkups or dentures to help you chew and speak easily.