As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
If you have broken or lost your own dentures, you might just consider whether it would be feasible to wear someone else's, even if just for the time being. Nowadays, it is possible to purchase second-hand dentures, and some people even go as far as wearing the dentures of deceased relatives. When finances are tight, this would seem like a good short-term option.
However, there are several reasons why wearing someone else's dentures would not be in the best interests of your oral health. In fact, you could end up paying more than you bargained for.
Dentures Are Not One-Size-Fits-All
If you have been fitted for dentures before, you will be aware that an impression of your mouth first needs to be taken before the dentures can be made. The height of your alveolar ridge is unique to you, as is the width and length of your jaws. The chances of you locating a suitably sized second-hand denture, then, are slim to none.
Wearing a denture that doesn't fit will cause both short-term and long-term damage.
Your Gums Will Develop Sores
Since the second-hand dentures are made for someone else's jaws, they won't sit comfortably in your mouth. When a new denture is made, it often takes several relines and adjustments before that denture becomes a comfortable fit. This adjustment period is crucial because ill-fitting dentures cause gum sores.
Not only are gum sores painful, but the damage they do to your gums will also speed up bone loss.
Your Jawbone Will Deteriorate
Ill-fitting dentures put pressure on your gums. This force is transferred to your jawbone, causing an acceleration of the bone loss you are already experiencing as a result of having no teeth.
Are you prepared to risk severe facial shrinkage and the possibility that there might not be enough bone for dental implants in the future?
The Dentures Will Fall Out
Lastly, think of the embarrassing situations that you might encounter as a result of wearing dentures that were custom-made for someone else's jaws. If the dentures don't fit well, which is likely, they will fall out, cause speaking issues and even make your mouth look unusual.
Though you could save yourself some money by not repairing or replacing a damaged set of dentures, you would be better off simply going without until you can afford denture repair or replacement. Otherwise, you may end up paying to repair the damage done to your mouth, rather than the damage done to your old set of dentures.
Share15 December 2017
