Do Dentures Help Protect Your Jaw Bones Or Do They Cause More Damage?
Tomball, TX

Do dentures help protect your jaw bones or do they cause more damage? This is a question that dentists and denture wearers have been asking for decades. With advances in dental technology, dentists are now able to better understand the potential risks associated with dentures. In this article, we’ll take a look at how dentures impact our jaw bones and explore whether dentures help protect or cause harm.

Dentures are artificial replacements for missing teeth that allow denture wearers to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. While dentures provide an effective solution for many tooth loss situations, there have been concerns about their potential to cause damage to the jaw bones. The purpose of this article is to explore the potential impact dentures can have on our jaw bones, and whether dentures help protect them or cause more harm.

Do dentures help protect your jaw bones?

How dentures affect jaw bone health

When dentures are first fitted, dentists will take x-rays to determine the shape of the jaw bone. The dentures are then fitted to fit this shape as best as possible so that denture wearers can eat and speak without difficulty. However, dentures do not actually protect the jaw bone from deterioration over time. In fact, dentists advise denture wearers to wear dentures as little as possible and to also take them out at night so that the jaw bone can recover from any potential denture-related issues.

Benefits of dentures

Dentures provide denture wearers with an effective solution for missing teeth. Dentures are made to look like natural teeth and can help denture wearers feel more confident with their smiles. Furthermore, dentures are a cost-effective solution for missing teeth and may be covered by some insurance plans.

Denture-related issues

Even though dentures provide denture wearers with an effective solution for missing teeth, there are potential risks associated with dentures. These risks include potential denture slippage, denture soreness, and denture abrasion of the jaw bone. Therefore, dentists advise denture wearers to take their dentures out every night for at least 8 hours to allow the jaw bone to recover from any potential denture-related issues.

Do dentures cause more damage?

Possible denture-related issues

In some cases, dentures may lead to denture abrasion of the jaw bone. This occurs when dentures rub against the jaw bone, causing discomfort and possible infection. Additionally, denture wearers may experience denture soreness, which can be caused by dentures that do not fit properly. Lastly, denture slippage may occur due to ill-fitting dentures or a lack of denture adhesive.

Impact on jaw bone health

If dentures are not worn correctly and are not taken out at night, denture wearers may experience jaw bone deterioration. Additionally, dentists advise denture wearers to avoid eating hard or sticky foods as this can cause the dentures to rub against the jaw bone and cause further irritation.

Prevention and treatment

To prevent any potential denture-related issues, dentists recommend that denture wearers visit their dentists regularly for check-ups and denture adjustments. Additionally, dentures should be taken out at night and denture wearers should practice good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using a mouthwash specifically designed for dentures. Lastly, denture wearers should opt for a softer diet to reduce the risk of denture abrasion.

Conclusion: 

Dentures provide an effective solution for missing teeth, but there are potential risks associated with dentures. These risks include denture abrasion of the jaw bone, denture soreness, and denture slippage. Therefore, it is important for denture wearers to visit their dentists regularly for check-ups and denture adjustments, to take out dentures every night, and to practice good oral hygiene. By following these steps, denture wearers can help protect their jaw bone health.

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