Considering that dentures have been around since the Seventh Century BC, they’re hardly considered a young person’s game. Even though they sort of fell off the map after the Etruscan civilization disappeared, only to reappear in the 1700s, they’re still most commonly associated with senior citizens who have lost all their teeth. The truth, though, is somewhat different.
What’s one thing that everyone who wears dentures in La Crête has in common? They have lost all their teeth on the upper or lower jaw — or both. In many ways, that’s the only thing that they have in common. There are several causes for that tooth loss ranging from serious injury, side effects of medication, serious medical conditions, and extreme tooth decay. Here’s one key point that is hidden in the marketing and common perception of dentures — all those things that can cause tooth loss that can be solved on dentures? — they affect people of all ages.
While most people who get dentures are in their 40s or older, many people receive dentures in their 20s and even their teen years because of congenital conditions, disease, accidents, or inability to access dental treatment as children.
What are some of the specific reasons that more and more young people are requiring dentures?
They suffered from dental anxiety as children
Many people who suffer from extreme forms of dental anxiety and fear forgo routine, urgent, and emergency medical care because their anxiety is too large an obstacle to overcome. Thankfully, dental clinics in La Crête have invested in advanced technologies and training in modern dental techniques to make dental procedures more comfortable. Dentists near you also offer sedation dentistry to help patients overcome dental anxiety.
Genetic conditions have impacted their dental health
Some young people require dentures in La Crête because genetic conditions have prevented them from developing teeth at all or cause them to suffer premature tooth loss. While those genetic conditions are relatively rare, an increased likelihood of experiencing gum cavities or gum disease is associated with certain genetic characteristics. This is more easily understood when you recall that tooth decay is, in reality, an infection caused by bacteria. The type and quantity of bacteria in your mouth at any time is influenced by a huge range of facts, including genetics.
The consequences of poor oral health
Most young people in La Crête are quite committed to their oral health, but not everyone. Some adults now firmly committed to good daily habits and regular dental treatment were not nearly so committed as children and adolescents, and are now facing the long-term implications of that neglect. Careful care and attention to the mouth, gums, and teeth of infants and children is essential. Putting differently, neglecting the mouths, gums, and teeth — baby or adult teeth — of children can cause long-lasting consequences including the need for orthodontic work and early dentures.
The side effects of lifestyle choices
Some habits picked up as children and youths can cause long-lasting dental consequences that may end with earlier-than-usual dentures. Amongst those habits are smoking, tobacco chewing, vaping, and excessive alcohol consumption. Each of those habits contributes to an increased risk of gum disease that, left unchecked, can cause periodontitis that can result in tooth loss requiring dentures.
Dentures are a solution for tooth loss. But they aren’t the best solution for tooth loss. The best solution for a young adult’s tooth loss is the prevention of that tooth loss. Dental clinics in La Crête can help young adults solve their tooth loss with dentures if necessary for any reason. But long before that is necessary and outside unusual circumstances apart from poor oral hygiene, those same dentists can help children and families instill good dental habits to prevent rampant tooth decay.