Don't Want Dentures In The Future? How To Make Your Teeth Last A Lifetime

There was a time when everyone, including dentists, believed that teeth come with a limited life span. It was thought that one of the effects of old age was the loss of teeth. Casual observation also suggested the same thing, since a lot of senior citizens lost most — if not all — of their teeth. However, as scientific research has progressed and the levels of oral hygiene have improved in populations all over the world, one fact has emerged beyond question: a person’s teeth will last them a lifetime if they are properly taken care of.

Why Do So Many Old People Need Dentures?

This is the first question that people ask when they are told that age has nothing to do with losing your teeth. The answer to that is also extremely straightforward. Tooth disease, including both decay and periodontal disease (gum disease), are slow-progressing and their effects accumulate over a period of time. People delay their treatment until it becomes too late and extraction remains the only possible option. As the numbers of un-replaced teeth grow in the mouth, the other remaining ones also get compromised and become difficult to retain.

How Can You Avoid Dentures?

Unfortunately there is no one thing that you can do or one magical ingredient that you can add to your food that will ensure that you do not lose any of your teeth over your lifespan. That being said, there are some habits that you should incorporate in your daily lives that will ensure the health of your teeth.

Brush Twice A day

This is not revolutionary advice, however it is surprising to know that many people still do not follow this simple rule of oral hygiene. Brushing with a soft tooth brush, a standardized toothpaste and avoiding any overzealous excessive pressure are all simple things that you should keep in mind.

Visit You Dentist For Routine Checkups

We know that most people like to avoid dentist checkups and wait until it is absolutely necessary to make that dreaded journey. However this can actually end up causing you more pain and discomfort when you are at the dentist. In a large majority of the cases, dental diseases are slow to progress. They usually start out as small lesions which can be easily treated in single appointments and without the use of any anesthesia. 

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Also, visiting your dentist at regular intervals means that you are also probably getting your teeth cleaned at every appointment. This cleaning/scaling is the only thing that has been found to be effective in preventing the occurrence of gum disease (Periodontitis). Gum disease in particular is responsible for the loss of more teeth than other dental disease. The chief reason is that it does not cause any pain during its initial and moderate stages.