Dentures are nothing new, but have come a long way dead-mens-teeth-a-history-of-dentures Today's dentures use the most modern materials available, but it's worth remembering that earlier dentures used ivory, bone, and even human teeth to create the dentures of the past.

What are dentures?

People lose teeth for many reasons — disease, accident, or poor oral health—and when that happens dentures are often a solution. Dentures artificially replace natural teeth and gums, providing a replacement that can restore proper dental function and appearance. Dentures help with chewing, facial appearance, speech, and overall personal confidence. Dentures can be a full replacement of all the teeth in the mouth, or a partial set of replacement teeth.

Getting used to the look and feel of dentures

New dentures can feel uncomfortable or loose in the mouth, and it takes time for the muscles of the mouth, cheeks, and tongue to adapt to the presence of new dentures. Some people also experience increased salivation or pain when getting used to new dentures, but these sensations and the learning curve of inserting, removing, and cleaning dentures are eventually overcome.

Dentures are designed to replicate the natural teeth, so they should make little change to your appearance if they are replacing natural teeth. If the dentures are filling in for missing teeth, they will likely improve your appearance.

Adapting to suitable foods

A new denture wearer will need to start with soft food in small pieces, making sure to alternate sides of the mouth when chewing to become fully familiar with the dentures. Gradually, more challenging foods can be undertaken, but it's always wise to avoid hard things such as bones and shells, as well as avoiding sticky foods and chewing gum. And don't use your dentures as nutcrackers!

The dental care needs of the elderly are not very different from those of other adults, but they are complicated by a number of impairments - physical, sensory, and cognitive Aging and Dental Health related to age and aging. Also, for the elderly, the connection between dental health and overall health is even more important as the elderly are generally less robust in fighting off infections and in healing from injuries.

For that reason, the need to prevent cavities and gum disease is greater for the elderly. For example, oral bacteria can be inhaled and cause pneumonia, a result particularly dangerous for the elderly.

Also, the elderly are an increasing demographic, and while retaining natural teeth into old age is entirely possible, many elderly people have lost teeth over the years and are using plates and dentures.