The Truth Behind Dentures
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Everyone is self-conscious about something. For some, it’s their weight. For others, it’s a learning disability or how much money they make. Some people have addictions or compulsions that they’re embarrassed to reveal. Whatever it is, we all have something we’re insecure about. The impact it has on one’s life, of course, varies by individual. Unfortunately, for many people who wear dentures, the experience is often one of extreme self-consciousness in several areas of life.
Earlier in 2015, a U.S. Oral Care Survey (Biting Into Denture Care) revealed the negative impact dentures have on the confidence of those who wear them. Believe it or not, one surprising revelation of the survey is that 53% of respondents say they received their first set of dentures at age 44 or younger. So we’re not just talking about the lost confidence of the elderly.
Surprised? Here’s some more you may not know about dentures – as revealed by people who have actually worn them:
Dentures are a social embarrassment
63% of survey respondents say they’ve kept their dentures a secret from someone
32% have kept their dentures a secret from friends
10% have kept their dentures a secret from siblings
7% have kept their dentures a secret from their spouse
20% avoid smiling in social situations
Dentures have a negative impact on romance
42% of survey respondents say dentures have a negative impact on their love lives. (Their reasons include fear of bad breath and worry over dentures dislodging)
24% say they are afraid to kiss passionately
Dentures cause self-consciousness at work
38% of respondents say wearing dentures has affected their careers
37% say they feel intimidated to network with other professionals
33% say they lack confidence in meetings
23% say they have avoided going on job interviews
Dentures create insecurities around food
54% of respondents say their number one concern is getting food caught in or under their dentures
50% avoid eating corn on the cob
34% avoid eating apples
33% avoid eating nuts
23% avoid eating steak
10% avoid social situations like eating at weddings or parties altogether
And to make matters worse…
78% of denture wearers believe they are keeping their dentures in excellent condition
But…
Research shows that up to 89% of people who wear dentures do not clean them correctly
Dentures are not the only alternative
Although dentures are often touted as a budget-friendly solution to missing teeth, is all this lost confidence worth the few dollars you may save? We don’t think so.
At Town Center Dentistry in Rancho Bernardo, we know everyone is self-conscious about something. But today, with the availability of dental implants and All-on-Four, we don’t believe your teeth need to be the something you’re self-conscious about.
If you currently have dentures and are interested in regaining your confidence – or if you’re just starting to explore your options for tooth replacement – give us a call. We’re happy to talk to you about our services. At Town Center Dentistry, we want to help you get your smile back so you can get your life back.
