Potential Signals that you may have gum disease and need dentures if left untreated:
You Don’t Have Regular Six-Month Dental Checkups
Many people make the mistake of skipping their regular six-month dental checkups. There is a misconception that it’s only necessary to have annual checkups. Other people lack dental insurance and don’t see the dentist often enough, which can lead to an array of problems.
Red, Swollen, Bleeding Gums
Sadly, one of the most overlooked aspects of a person’s health relates to their gums and teeth. Gum disease, also known peridontal disease, can result when plaque develops within the gum tissue. When the problem isn’t addressed and treated, it can lead to a variety of other health problems and of course, tooth loss. When tooth loss is significant, a person may need dentures. It’s important to know the signs and when you might need dentures. One of the chief symptoms of gum disease is redness, inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Gum disease causes around 70 percent of tooth loss in adults. However, even if you have periodontal disease, it doesn’t automatically mean you will absolutely need dentures. When treatment is sought early enough and the patient practices good oral care, it can stop the progression of bone loss so that the individual can keep their teeth.
Loose Teeth
If your teeth have become loose or you have gaps that are widening, these are symptoms of significant bone loss and advanced gum disease and may require extensive treatment that might mean tooth extraction.
Toothache
In many cases, a toothache simply means that you have a cavity that requires a filling. However, another reason you may experience a toothache is that you have a gum disease that has progressed to the point that the nerve within a tooth has been affected. If it’s caught early enough, it can be treated with a root canal and a crown. In the worst case scenario, you could need the tooth removed and eventually need implants and crowns or partial or full dentures.
You’ve Already Lost Teeth
In general, individuals who have lost teeth due to oral diseases are at increased risk of needing extractions of more teeth in the future.
Recurrent Indigestion
If you notice that you have recurrent indigestion, it could be due to your teeth being sore and/or loose and in poor condition causing you to be unable to properly chew. As a result, you may swallow larger pieces of food, which are difficult for your stomach to digest.
These are all signs that you have gum disease and may be progressing towards dentures. However, if you get regular dental checkups and diligently practice good oral hygiene, you may be able to salvage your teeth so that they last a lifetime.
