Dentures are a great invention. Replacement teeth that can help you to smile and eat even if you’ve lost your teeth can help a lot of people. Dentures get a bad reputation, though, because many people have poor quality dentures that don’t help as much as they could.
Currently, 23 million Americans are edentulous and 12 million are edentulous in one arch. Nearly 90% of people without teeth currently have dentures. It’s estimated the number of partially edentulous patients will continue increasing over the next 15 years until it reaches more than 200 million Americans. That means a large number of people are going to require dentures soon.
If you’re wondering just how many people wear dentures, in 2019, 41.23 million Americans used dentures. That’s a lot of dentures. There’s a good chance that a large portion of those people are unhappy with their low-quality dentures. But if you have quality dentures, it can really help you enjoy your life, and can even help you live longer.
Wearing Dentures Reduces Your Risk of Being Homebound
People with fewer teeth who don’t wear dentures are more likely to be homebound. That’s according to a Japanese study looking at people age 65 and up, who were not initially homebound. They collected data for about 4400 adults, then checked in with them four years later to see how many of them had become homebound.
For people who had 20 or more teeth at baseline, only 4.4% became homebound, compared to 9.7% of those who had 19 or fewer teeth and didn’t wear dentures. Wearing dentures made a significant difference, with only 8.8% becoming homebound.
There was no information on the type of dentures used, but we bet that in most cases people were wearing traditional dentures and that the homebound rate might be reduced still further if people were wearing higher quality dentures.
Quality dentures can influence your risk of being homebound for many reasons. First, people who feel comfortable with the appearance and function of their teeth have an easier time being sociable, which gives you a reason to get out. Additionally, the fit of your dentures can make a difference in your ability to be active and can reduce your risk of falls.
Better Bite Force Leads to a Longer Life
Most studies show that it’s not just the presence of dentures, but the quality of them that can make a big difference for your practical outcomes. That’s the case with a study showing that better bite force was associated with a lower risk of death among the elderly (age 85 and up).
In this study, researchers isolated bite force, both for people with and without teeth. They found that those with the strongest bite had a risk of death that was one third lower than people with the weakest bite force. That’s after correcting for a wide range of factors such as gender, physical activity, psychological status, and systemic inflammation.
Researchers used bite force as a stand-in for chewing ability because traditional methods of measuring chewing (chewing test foods) could put individuals in this age range at risk. They say that being able to chew leads to a more varied and more nutritious diet.
Having a weak bite is a common complaint among denture wearers, but there are ways to increase your bite strength with dentures secured with dental implants.
Life with Dentures is Even Better with Dental Implants
Replacing your missing teeth with dentures already automatically improves your quality of life. But what if we told you it could improve even more? When you use dental implants to support your dentures, it’s almost like getting back your natural teeth. The dental implants work like tooth roots and take all the pressure off your dentures when you chew or bite instead of putting the pressure on your gums. This can help chewing feel more natural and less uncomfortable.
Additionally, there is no need for dentures to cover the roof of your mouth to stay in place because the implants will hold it. This can help you taste food better. The extra stability and security can help you choose a better diet and eat all the food you once loved again. This can help extend your own lifespan!
Dental implants also stimulate your jaw bone to prevent bone loss. As a result, it can benefit your appearance by helping to prevent premature signs of aging.
If you’re wondering about a denture’s life expectancy, the average pair lasts between seven to 10 years. Although some dentures can last even longer. On the flip side, with proper care and maintenance, dental implants can sometimes last the rest of one’s life.
Although a cheap pair of dentures might look appealing upfront, they will end up costing more down the line. Dental implants and high-quality dentures last long, provide amazing benefits and can help extend your lifespan.
Are You Looking for Quality Dentures in Rochester?
Quality dentures give you more than just a pretty smile: they can give you a better quality of life, and even a longer life. Living with new dentures could transform your entire life.
If you are looking for great dentures in Rochester, NY, please call (585) 244-3337 today for an appointment with a denture dentist at Contemporary Dentistry.
