I am 53 years old and am facing full dentures. I am TERRIFIED! I need to be as informed as possible, therefore

Question

I would like to know the following:ONLY from people who know what they are talking about:
- What kind do you have?
- How old are you?
- How long have you had them?
- Do you have to take them out at night?
- How do you clean them?
- How long did it take you to get used to them?
- Do you have to use that "paste" stuff to keep them in?
- Do you have problems eating, talking, KISSING, etc?
- Tell me something about your experiences with them that you wish somebody had told you before you got them.

I'm terribly stressed about this and want honest opinions, NO jokes from the Peanut Gallery, please.

Answer 1

Hi, I am 54 and have both upper and lower. They take a couple of weeks to get used to, but I do not have any problems talking, kissing, the only problem is some of the food I eat. I keep my bottoms out alot, but its easier to eat with both in.I do not have to use anything to keep uppers ,but I have to use something for bottoms. I use Fixodent Plus, it works great and does not ooze out. Just use a thin line. I had a really good dentist.When I was 13, my 4 front teeth were buck and the kids at school would make fun of me and call me names like rabbit ect, with you being almost my age I am sure you know kids can be cruel sometimes with name calling,anyway my Mom had my 4 front teeth pulled @ 13 yrs of age, and I had partials.But because of heart problems ect I had to have the rest pulled a year ago and like I said I only seem to have problems with the bottoms.Don't get all stressed out okay, everything will be fine, and you will have a beautiful smile, most people don't even know I have dentures. I do keep the tops in at night but brush them daily.One problem you may have is sometimes when you eat like strawberries,anything with seed is even the smallest seed is aggravating because they get on your dentures,so I suggest after eating you just use a toothbrush and water and clean them. Good Luck and I am sure you will be just fine. Remember smile alot, as you will have a beautiful smile...Hope this has helped.

Answer 2

I'm 48 with full uppers and partial lowers and I hate them. I couldn't afford the implants. Besides, the bones along my jawline were too bad for implants. I've only had mine for a month or so now. My dentist told me to sleep with them in until I got used to them. I did the first few nights, but now I don't. I have a real hard time eating with them in. So, now, I don't go out to eat anymore. Or if I do, I only order soups or something else easy to eat. No steaks or fried chicken, unless I order take out. I haven't tried any of the pastes. But, I have tried SeaBond. I have to cut them to size, but SeaBond does keep them in. I've been using Efferdent (sp?) to clean them and it seems to be doing okay. I think I sound different when I talk. I feel like I'm talking with a mouth full of pebbles or small marbles. I haven't kissed anyone since getting my dentures. I lost my husband only seven months ago and am still greiving.

I know this isn't real positive an answer, but do try to hang in there. Do check out implants, if you can get them. Getting a second opinion is always a good thing. Otherwise, you are going to have to do what I've done and just suck it up and live with it.

I wish you the best with whatever decision you make.

Answer 3

Pictures Of Celebrities With Dentures

Answer 4

I have to admit that I do not have dentures and know nothing about them but there is another alternative for you. That is dental implants which look and act like real teeth. I have seen some pretty amazing stuff done with these devices. It might be something you want to look into if you are uncomfortable with the idea of dentures.

All of the questions you have will be answered by your dentist. Whether you decide on dentures or another form there is really nothing to be scared of. The professionals will help you to transition to whatever form of dentistry turns out to be the best for you with as little difficulty as possible.

I have included this link which gives some pictures of people who have had dental implants.
http://www.dental-implants.com/

Here is a link that tells a ton about dentures.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dentures.html

A little knowledge can help alleviate fears. I hope this helps you so you can relax and get the work done you need.

Take Care

Answer 5

I have had a full set of dentures for about 8 years they are not too bad,but when i first got mine i would polygrip them ,my mom told me to stop or i wouls never get use to them. I listend to her and she was right i dont have no problem with them at all ,the dentist how ever told me most people had problems with the bottom ones because there is nothing to hold them in place how ever i do not as far as kissing the bottoms give you some trouble while trying to french kiss. Leave them out at night to soak . Iwas about 30 something when i got my top ones and about 5 yrs got the top , morning comes i just brush regular toothpaste and on my way i go hope you got use ouy of the info

Answer 6

OK let me answer all ur question....i m 24 years old girl..so no personal experience but i m dentist i can share my patients experiences..
-full dentures are normally given to patients with no teeth..so tht mean age between 55 -70 years
-i knw patients who use dentures for 10-15 years..dentures get loosens with age..so patients ned to change after 5-8 years..some continue soem dont as long procedure
-yes it is manditory you shud take it out in night....other ur gums will face problems..
-clean with soap, brush or paste detergent
-it takes approximately one month..but period may varies some may take more time or less time
-if fitting of denture is not accurate then denture adhesives are used....not every patient use it
-initially yes u will face problems..ur dentist will explain u how to eat n speak...kissing u can face problem...depends on fittin actually
-well ya some patients adjust really well and some dont..if u can afford implants go for it..otherwise this is also ok.....
-dont take tension..go ahead...i am sure u will adjust well..keep patience..take care..gud luck

Answer 7

I don't personally have them but I deal with people daily that do. If there is any possibility you could save what you have please do so. most dentures are made out of acrylic and have plastic teeth. You should take them out at night to let the tissue under the denture breath. To clean them you can soak them in a denture cleaner, there are several on the market and you scrub them with a denture brush. Some people never get used to them, but I believe they are adaptable. Some people do have to use paste to keep them in especially the lower one, the top denture usually creates a suction to help keep it in, but the lower stays in by keeping your tongue on top of it. It takes some time to get used to talking in them, but it can be done just try reading the paper out loud for a couple of days. Eating usually lettuce is one of the hardest things to eat, nuts. I think if anyone could tell you anything before you get them if there is a chance to save what you have do it.....dentures don't have roots....teeth do....all your problems won't be solved by dentures.

Answer 8

My grandmother is about 60 and she is actually having permanent teeth put in. They drill holes and suture in steel posts into your jaw bones, and then they create a whole set of teeth that will snap onto those posts. That might be a suggestion for your dentist/oral surgeon when you talk to him about dentures. :)

Answer 9

I would recommend a second opinion. Unless your mouth is extremely bombed out, there are usually alternatives to full dentures.

Answer 10

my girlfriend has them and they come out at night get cleaned in the morning.

hard nuts like almonds are tough to eat but otherwise they are great no pain or problem if the fit good.

the big deal is they cost a ton of money.

dont sweat it, you will have a happy smile you can be proud of.

:)