Common Complaints Among Denture Wearers

According to statistics, approximately 36 million Americans wear dentures.  This accounts for roughly ten percent of the American population.  The aging of the population in America has caused the number of Americans with tooth loss to increase.  Although alternative options such as dental implants exist for replacing lost teeth, dentures are still used by many patients with tooth loss.

Some patients adjust to wearing dentures better than others.  For some, dentures are not tolerable at all.  Common complaints among patients who wear dentures include the artificial appearance of dentures or “false teeth”, difficulty chewing, the inability to eat certain foods, loss of the sense of taste, fear that dentures will come loose or fall out, and the need for the use of denture creams.

Many patients who wear dentures are self-conscious and embarrassed about their “artificial appearance.”  This can cause many denture wearers to smile and laugh less during social interactions.

Denture wearers also complain that eating is less enjoyable.  This is because of the difficulty they have in chewing certain types of foods, and the inability to taste foods as well.  It is common for patients who wear dentures to change their diet to consist of softer foods that are easier to chew.  The fear of dentures becoming loose or falling out during a meal can also make eating less enjoyable.

Patients with dentures also complain about the need for the use of denture creams.  Denture creams can be sticky, messy, and expensive.  Some denture creams containing zinc have even been associated with health risks.

Dental implants are a permanent solution for patients with tooth loss and provide a good alternative to wearing dentures.  To get more information regarding dental implants and other alternatives to dentures, contact an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon.