When you think of dentures, it’s understandable if you associate them with older people. Typically, dentures are worn more often by people who have experienced significant tooth loss and significant tooth loss is often linked to age. But dentures are not just for seniors. There are a variety of reasons and circumstances that can lead to young people needing dentures, and nobody should feel bad for wearing dentures at any age. Additionally, there are many features associated with dentures that can make them easier to incorporate into everyday life as a young adult. It’s been estimated that, across the population of 19 different countries, about 19% of all people (that’s 1 in 5) wear dentures of some sort. Clearly, dentures are not as uncommon as we might think.
With that being said, let’s look into some of the reasons why people wear dentures before reaching senior age, and what your options might be if you need them.
Why Do Young Adults Wear Dentures?
There are a wide variety of reasons why people wear dentures in their youth, though of course they’re almost always linked to significant tooth loss. So why might this tooth loss occur? The most obvious answer would be trauma. If you’re in a car accident, for example, you may lose a significant amount of teeth in the process. While a few teeth here and there could potentially be replaced with individual dental implants, a larger amount of tooth loss could require dentures.
However, it’s actually more common for people to experience significant tooth loss due to tooth decay or gum disease, as well as genetic factors. For example, you may be more likely to experience tooth loss at an early age if you’re genetically predisposed to certain dental diseases or conditions. You may experience a severe illness at some point, and not only the illness itself but the medications that are given may cause tooth loss. For example, it’s not unheard of for chemotherapy to cause tooth decay and loss.
What Is It Like To Get Dentures In Your Youth?
The great thing about dentures is that when you’re out and about living your life, nobody has to know that you have them. Dentures are customized for your look and your needs. You don’t need to feel like you’re aging prematurely. You can just live life with your dentures.
If you think you may be in need of dentures, give us a call today. We want to make sure you are confident with your smile!