If you have a question, do give us a call on (09) 6315416 or click here to email us for an initial consultation visit.

Floppy dentures & malnutrition - break this link
Dr. Loyola Correa MDS

There are a large number of denture wearers as a result of the great wars, the depression and the financial crash. As a dentist of over 30 years practice, I recall being taught, that patients would opt for full or partial dentures by the age of 50. However, with the change in longevity and ‘quality of life’, no-one is prepared to lose teeth or suffer the handicap of false teeth. "Save them’ at any cost" is the general trend.

With age comes the physiological changes of gum recession, and dry mouth. This causes the resultant heavy deposits of plaque and decay bacteria. Decay then makes short work of the remaining teeth, and a full clearance, the end result. This can of course be avoided by preventive dental care.

But if complete dentures are in place, nutrition can suffer, as false teeth are not as efficient in chewing food and dietary changes enter into the equation. Gums shrink due to bone loss, and the dentures become floppy and unstable. If these dentures could be made firm and stable, the diet of an aging individual can be more normal and taste better.

As some individuals will develop Alzheimer's or Parkinsonism, the control of false teeth becomes even more impossible matter, and rest home staff face a virtual nightmare. Individuals begin to literally wither away, right before their eyes, and I have had calls to visit rest-homes with the request to somehow tighten the inmates false teeth, if only to assist in eating.

Adhesives and glues are inadequate, when patients have dry mouth or muscle incompetence. Swallowing copious amounts of the adhesives on a regular basis cannot be a good thing.

Preventive Dentistry is a must for children, as well as the older individual, because in both age groups, plaque is the cause of loss of teeth. Regular care and hygiene visits, can halt the ravages of dental disease.

Mini Dental Implants are the answer to situations where an individual has lost all or some of the natural teeth. A simple and cost effective procedure threads the implants into the jaw, and a snap-on system in the bottom of the denture. This virtually locks down the denture, making the dentures well controlled.

The quality of life is impacted when one cannot freely laugh or eat in public due to floppy dentures. All this changes for the better, once implants stabilize the dentures and there is no fear of the false teeth causing an embarrassment. The facial muscles become more relaxed and in harmony. Should the individual be diagnosed with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, these implants will help in proper diet and nutrition. The rest-home nurse can snap the dentures in place, and take them out as easily after the meal is complete.

In summary, there is no doubt that floppy dentures are linked to malnutrition. This can be changed for the better in a quick and affordable way. Mini Dental Implants have revolutionized the way complete dentures are worn. The dentures are locked down and a long-term healthy nutrition re-established.

This area of the website is still under construction