Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for rebuilding smiles after tooth loss because they can restore its appearance and functionality simultaneously. However, many people associate these prosthetics with aging because more seniors require replacement teeth than younger adults.
As a result, some patients who have lost teeth at a younger age feel embarrassed about needing prosthetics and avoid seeking treatment. Thankfully, there’s no age restriction or limitation on rebuilding your smile. Continue reading to learn more about why dentures aren’t just for senior adults!
Who Can Benefit from Getting Dentures?
Regardless of how many natural teeth you have remaining, your dentist can provide full or partial dentures to close the spaces in your smile. But that doesn’t mean this is the best way to meet everyone’s unique needs.
You might be a good candidate for this service if you:
- Suffered severe tooth decay. If your teeth are too damaged to be repaired, they might require extraction and replacement.
- Developed periodontitis. This advanced form of gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
- Make poor dietary decisions. Consuming too many sugary and acidic foods can erode your enamel and lead to gum disease, which can destabilize your teeth.
- Have other health concerns. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are closely linked to gum disease and can affect your overall oral health.
- Were injured. Athletes and others who participate in close-contact sports and activities are prone to sustaining injuries that can dislodge their teeth.
Do I Have to Replace Missing Teeth?
Some patients don’t feel any pressing need to find replacement teeth, especially if the ones that went missing were in the back of their mouth where no one can see. But your remaining pearly whites are prone to shifting out of alignment to fill in the gaps, which can wear down your enamel unevenly. This increases the risk of tooth decay and other types of damage, so it’s usually recommended that you restore your smile as soon as possible.
Am I Too Young for Dentures?
According to some sources, like a 2024 CDC report about tooth loss, about 1 in 10 adults who were 65 to 74 years old had lost all their teeth, and nearly 57% of this age group wear some form of dentures. Meanwhile, approximately 1 in 5 people who were 75 have no natural teeth remaining.
The likelihood of experiencing tooth loss naturally increases with age, so it would be easy to assume that treatments to address it are reserved for this age group. Thankfully, that’s not always the case.
Only your dentist can determine whether dentures are the right treatment for you, but their decision is based on your dental condition and individual needs rather than your age!
About the Practice
Patients at Unique Dental of Putnam benefit from two dentists with over a decade of combined experience helping families build healthy, resilient smiles. Dr. Moaz and Dr. Zakhem provide a comprehensive menu of services conveniently under one roof, including restoring smiles after tooth loss. They utilize state-of-the-art technology to provide lifelike dentures designed to look and feel as natural as possible. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (860) 928-4352.