For people who are very young, getting dentures can be a traumatic experience. It can seriously impact your happiness, self-confidence, and quality of life. But it doesn’t have to be a negative experience. These seven tips can help you get through the experience and feel better for it.
Don’t Blame Yourself
One common problem we find is that people feel guilty about losing their teeth and needing dentures at a young age. First, of all, it’s important to remember that it’s usually not your fault if you’ve lost teeth at a young age. You might have lost them due to accidents or violence, because of a genetic condition, or other reasons. Many people have limited or no access to dental care when they’re young. No matter the cause of your tooth loss, it’s not productive to focus on it. We won’t blame you or make you feel guilty. We’re focused on your future.
And remember: you’re not alone. More than half of all denture wearers first get dentures under the age of 45. Advertising for denture products may focus on older people, but there are a lot of people your age with dentures. We could potentially introduce you to some of them.
Make Sure It’s the Right Decision
Some people think that getting dentures will be easy, so they choose them over maintaining their current teeth. But the truth is that dentures require at least as much care as your natural teeth, from the standpoint of your daily oral hygiene. Plus, in many cases, you’ll have to accept reduced function from your dentures, compared to your natural teeth. However, dentures can give you improved function over missing or badly damaged teeth.
Make sure that dentures are the right decision for your health and happiness and that they’ll give you the best outcome in the long term. Never make this decision without talking to multiple dentists about your options, and what your likely outcome is going to be whichever way you go.
Have Confidence in Your Decision
Doing your research and talking to multiple dentists is also helpful because it can give you confidence in your decision. Nothing is worse than making the decision, then feeling sad because you think you made the wrong one.
Cut off your tendency to second-guess yourself by working harder before making your decision. If you still have doubts, dispel them before you commit by talking to more dentists, close friends, family, counselors, and if you have a faith, spiritual leaders.
This is a choice you’re making. Feeling empowered by your decision, not feeling like a victim of it, will help you feel happier about it in the future.
Invest in Quality Dentures
Your appearance can make an especially big difference for young people in dentures. Traditional and economy dentures may be poorly fitting and may give you a sunken appearance. The Denture Fountain of Youth® is designed to maintain a youthful appearance, including full lips and cheeks.
Another great option is implant dentures. Implant dentures are anchored in your jawbone, so they look and function more like natural teeth. This makes them an especially good choice for young people getting dentures. However, there is a limitation: dental implants are only for adults whose jaws have finished developing. If your jaw is still growing or developing, you might have to wear traditional dentures for a while before you can get dental implants.
Practice Makes Perfect
There will be an adjustment period for your new dentures. Even if they’re properly fitted, they may not feel like it at first, and you may think that you’re stuck with soft foods and little ability to talk. But if you stick with it, you will find that you are actually able to eat most of the foods you used to enjoy, and following these tips for learning to talk with dentures will help you speak clearly more quickly.
Another source of concern is doing something like eating out in public for the first time with your dentures. We give you tips for mastering your first big occasion in dentures so you can feel confident and have a great time in your dentures.
Give Yourself Time
During your initial adjustment period, you may start to feel depressed and think that you’ll never get used to them and never be able to live a “normal” life with dentures. Don’t be too hard on yourself. With patience and with commitment, you’ll see that life turns around and you can enjoy it with dentures, perhaps more than you did with your problematic natural teeth.
Love Yourself and You Will Be Loved
Another big concern young people have about dentures is that it will make them unloveable. If you already have someone that loves you, talk to them about your dentures and you’ll be delighted to find out how little a difference it makes to them, and how supportive they are of your decision.
People have many questions about dating in dentures. The answers are usually positive. Yes, you can learn to look sexy in dentures. Plus, kissing in dentures might take a little practice, but it’s still good for both you and your partner. It is possible to find love in dentures and to enjoy a long and happy life with that person.
And you will find that, as with many challenges in life, facing your dentures decision with courage and spirit will actually make you a better and more loveable person, especially if you find it in your heart to feel good about and love yourself and your dentures. Call our dentists at (803) 781-9090 today.
