Who needs dentures?
Contrary to popular belief, dentures aren’t inevitable as you age. If you brush and floss daily and see your dentist regularly, you should be able to keep your natural teeth for as long as you live. If you don’t take good care of your teeth, tooth decay (dental caries) and gum disease (periodontitis) may necessitate that you have your teeth removed. Despite your best efforts to keep your teeth clean, some diseases and conditions can make you more prone to tooth problems, including: • Dry mouth (xerostomia) – Saliva cleans, disinfects and re-mineralizes your teeth. Cancer treatments, diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, some medications and menopause can all cause dry mouth. • Diabetes – Diabetes, especially if it’s poorly controlled, weakens your gums’ resistance to infection. • Problems with self-care – Diseases that make it more difficult for you to care for yourself, such as Alzheimer’s, and diseases that cause limited movement, such as arthritis, can make it harder to keep up with
