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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? Topics Fitness Food Health Natural Pamper Special Style Events Medical Directory Reader's Picks RSS Info About OHL Advertise Archive Photos Return to Mail Tribune NEWS NOW Army veteran who tried to stop UCC shooter faces long recovery By Gosia Wozniacka and Allen G. Breed Associated Press Read Army veteran» UPDATED: Gunman's neighbors say he was temperamental Read UPDATED:» No charges for man whose Facebook comments canceled Ashland homecoming parade Read No charges for » Army veteran who tried to stop UCC shooter faces long recovery By Gosia Wozniacka and Allen G. Breed Associated Press Read Army veteran» UPDATED: Gunman's neighbors say he was temperamental Read UPDATED:» No charges for man whose Facebook comments canceled Ashland homecoming parade Read No charges for » Oh, Those Pearly Whites Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons, including age, gum disease, a history of inadequate dental hygiene, poor nutrition, smoking and a variety of health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Comment By CINDY QUICK WILSON MailTribune.com By CINDY QUICK WILSON Posted Aug. 31, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Sep 3, 2014 at 1:08 PM By CINDY QUICK WILSON Posted Aug. 31, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Sep 3, 2014 at 1:08 PM A recent report from the Centers for Disease Co... --> Denture Facts to Chew On The following information was compiled in cooperation with the American Dental Association and offers some basic facts about dentures. 1. Dentures ... » Read more X A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health found that overall, oral health has improved and that the percentage of adults over 60 who have lost all their teeth has dropped in the past ten year Denture Facts to Chew On The following information was compiled in cooperation with the American Dental Association and offers some basic facts about dentures. 1. Dentures don't last forever. They can break if dropped, absorb bacteria and odor, and denture teeth can stain and deteriorate with wear. 2. Even if your dentures fit perfectly, you should still see a dental professional regularly. Dentures can loosen due to bone and tissue changes. 3. Denture wearers can eat more normally. More thorough chewing improves digestion and allows wearers to eat a wider variety of foods. 4. Adhesives can play a role in your denture's fit and comfort. Dentures may not require adhesive, but some wearers find it provides added security and comfort. 5. Over-the-counter and prescription medications can affect dentures. Drugs that reduce saliva may cause discomfort to denture wearers. 6. Don't assume regular denture care is too costly. Discuss your financial limitations with your dental professional and ask about possible payment options. 7. Never try to make your own denture repairs. Always take your dentures to a professional for repairs or adjustments. 8. Don't avoid replacing your dentures just because you don't want to go through another long adjustment period. While there will be a period of adjustment with a replacement denture, it is usually shorter - and easier - than the first time. » Social News Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons, including age, gum disease, a history of inadequate dental hygiene, poor nutrition, smoking and a variety of health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition to affecting how we look, studies reveal that tooth loss can significantly reduce nutritional health by influencing food selection. Difficulty with proper mastication can sometimes steer people away from healthier but harder to chew high fiber fruits and vegetables and make softer, high fat and cholesterol choices more appealing. Not only can a person's outward appearance suffer, but his or her overall health can decline if the problem is left uncorrected. Modern options Advances in restorative procedures give patients several options when it comes to replacing some or an entire mouthful of teeth. "Anyone who is missing a tooth or teeth should ask what all the options are," says Medford dentist Jacob Layer. "Talking with your dentist, listening to the alternatives and asking follow-up questions are very important. People need to educate themselves about dentures and all the alternatives if they are to make the right decision." Dental patients have more choices now than ever before with implants, bridgework or partials and full dentures, but not all options work for all people. Layer says two important factors can determine a patient's suitability for implants. One is the amount of bone remaining in the jaw to work with and the other is cost. "You can't put implants where there's not enough bone," he explains. "Because dental implants are such a labor-intensive process, they are a very expensive restoration to provide. However, it's my observation that the popularity of removable prosthetics that replace missing teeth has decreased with advances in implants. Implants may be used as an alternative to dentures or as an augmentation to help stabilize loose dentures." For some people, full or partial dentures will be the best choice. Pieter Oosthuizen, a denture specialist with Jacksonville Denture Clinic, says they use the most up-to-date materials and techniques to create dentures that restore the function and appearance of the patient's natural teeth. "Everyone's mouth is unique," Oosthuizen says, "so we take impressions and measurements and then carefully analyze each one to achieve the most natural look. We have a highly trained staff that have studied and practiced for decades specifically on dentures." From those calculations, models will be created that reflect the shape and alignment of the jaws. Temporary dentures are formed for the patient to wear during a trial period before the final denture is cast using the appropriate flesh and tooth-shaded acrylic material. Oosthuizen says that unlike other offices that send the work out, they create dentures on the premises using a six-step process. "When you make a denture, you can't shortcut it," he says. "When you eliminate steps, you sacrifice the quality." Creating a new smile If your dentist has recommended dentures, expect multiple appointments spread over a one-to-two month period during which impressions and measurements will be taken. You and your dentist will decide between either "conventional" or "immediate" dentures. Conventional dentures are made anywhere from eight to 12 weeks after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has begun to heal. With immediate dentures, the appliances are made in advance and are put in place immediately following final tooth extraction. The advantage is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth for many weeks, but bones and gums do shrink as the healing takes place so there may be additional adjustments needed after the initial placement. These are generally considered a temporary measure until conventional dentures can be fitted. Some patients may require only a partial denture or bridge. In this case, prosthetic teeth are attached to a gum-colored plastic appliance formed within a metal framework. Natural teeth are then used as an anchor for either the removable or permanently cemented prosthesis. As beautiful as your new smile may be, there is always a period of adjustment and dentures will feel uncomfortable and cumbersome at first, but with practice new wearers learn how to chew and speak more naturally. A full set of dentures can cost about $5,000, Layer says. "If there are teeth to be removed, then the total cost of treatment would be more since it would include not only the denture, but the cost of removing the remaining teeth as well." Insurance coverage varies widely, but assuming dentures are a covered procedure under your specific plan, it will likely use up the plan's maximum allowance. Layer adds, "Dentures are commonly considered to be 'major restorative' which is usually covered at a 50 percent rate." Although the financial outlay is considerable, the benefits balance out the cost when considering not only the health benefits, but also the improved self confidence in once again having a beautiful smile. "I've seen a transformation in so many of our patients that I believe we are actually changing lives," says Oosthuizen. By CINDY QUICK WILSON MailTribune.com By CINDY QUICK WILSON Posted Aug. 31, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Sep 3, 2014 at 1:08 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Archive Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Advertise Careers Copyright © . Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Southern Oregon Media Group: Mail Tribune.com | Ashland Daily Tidings | Medford Nickel