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Denture Problems

Are you a denture wearer who's afraid to be seen in public because your dentures are unattractive? Do you find yourself eating alone because you can't eat foods your friends eat? Do you carry your false teeth in your pocket? Denture wearers, without knowing it, can become dental "shut-ins." They begin, subtly, to reorient their lifestyles around ill-fitting or loose dentures. When dentures don't look or function properly, some people withdraw from their social lives and suffer depression and diminished self-esteem. Some even become recluses.

Tale of a shut-in

One denturist had a patient, a truck driver, who couldn't eat properly with his cheap dentures. At truck stops, he would take his food back to his truck and eat alone. He gave up his only social activity on the road, swapping stories with other drivers over a meal. For two years, he was a prisoner in his own truck. Many people can reverse a situation like this though. When prosthodontics look and feel right, denture problems become a thing of the past and the wearer's whole mental outlook can brighten. Eating gives pleasure and a feeling of security learned from early feeding experiences. It's an important part of most social occasions. When a person controls the quality and quantity of his food, he's able to achieve this sense of security and a feeling of self-esteem.

So, let's start fresh with some denture tips.

There's no need to feel unattractive or live in fear of a false teeth faux pas in the company of friends and family. A prosthodontist can help you regain function, comfort, and a natural appearance by denture care and repair, or by just replacing or refitting them. Or, it might just mean using better dentures adhesive. Well-fitting prosthodontics are a small sort of miracle, but one that works wonders for your self-esteem. Don't be a shut-in. Call your dentist, and start smiling again.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Denture Identification

False teeth, like all personal items, can be lost or misplaced. Denture replacement after losing a denture is never a pleasant experience. A person whose denture is lost or misplaced may have difficulty chewing, eating, and speaking, and may be embarrassed by their looks.

Often, a missing denture is linked to being hospitalized or entering a nursing home. Personal items such as dentures or eyeglasses can be misplaced because of an accident, sudden illness, or admission to a hospital. Also, it is not difficult for a nursing home resident or staff member to misplace a denture.

Nursing homes, similar to hospitals, are busy places. Residents often are recovering from serious illness, have recently been discharged from a hospital, are undergoing rehabilitation, or have cognitive and mental health problems such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. If lost or misplaced prosthodontics are found and they are not labeled with something that identifies its owner, it is very unlikely that it will be returned.

• How a denture can be misplaced in a hospital or nursing home:
• Wrapped in a napkin and left on a food tray
• Placed in pocket of clothing
• Removed during a nap and left in bed sheets
• Other patients take denture
• Staff places denture with another patient's belongings

False teeth can be labeled with an identification label at any time. They can be labeled when they are initially constructed, or the label can be added at a later date. A dentist or prosthodontist inserts the labels in an area of the denture that does not interfere with its function or looks. A dentist or dental technician should be responsible for labeling your prosthodontics. Do not label them yourself with home items such as a felt tip pen or marker. Denture identification can be any combination of a first name, last name, initials, or the first initial of the last name with the last four numbers of your Social Security number.

Loss of false teeth causes inconveniences and problems for the sick, the old, the mentally impaired, and family caregivers. Replacing prosthodontics also requires getting used to the new fit and appearance. Denture replacement also involves cost, arranging for a dental visit, time, and transportation. To eliminate the inconveniences of a lost or misplaced denture, consider the benefits of denture identification.

by Denise J. Fedele, D.M.D., M.S.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.