DENTURES - FIVE REASONS TO KEEP A SPARE PAIR
Every year I encounter an average of twelve or more patients who have lost their dentures due to misfortune. As you can imagine this brings tremendous anxiety to those that had only the one set as they scramble to have a new denture made. The impact on ones social life, not to mention your employment can be most stressful. Some of the ways dentures get lost or destroyed may surprise you. The following is a list of the more common occurrences I have encountered in my years of practice.
1: Emergency situations and hospital stays.
Without a doubt this accounts for the greatest number of lost dentures. Patients who are disoriented or in unfamiliar surroundings are less able to keep track of their dentures whereabouts. Hospital staff are very diligent at keeping dentures with patients, but misfortune can come simply by wrapping your dentures in tissue paper, and having cleaning staff throw it away unknowingly. Trips to the hospital can of course occur without warning. However if you are aware ahead of time that you are going to be admitted, make sure you bring with you a denture box inscribed with your name so that at any time when your denture is out of your mouth it is secured in this type of a recognizable container. Make sure that you inform staff that you are a denture wearer so they can take appropriate precautions should removal be necessary.
2: Dogs.
Number two on the list is one that can see dentures badly damaged or destroyed. When removing your dentures at night be careful where you leave them, as dogs find these irresistible chew toys. I recall one gentleman who had me replace three sets in one year due to his mischievous companion.
3: Motion sickness and stomach flu.
If you should find yourself in either of the above situations it is a wise idea to remove your dentures if possible before vomiting. Many dentures end up flushed down toilets or rest at the bottom of the ocean.
4: Inebriation.
Need I say more!
5: Theft.
Hard to imagine but this does occur, generally in rest homes or long term care facilities, where a resident has collected up dentures to find a better fit. This is why it is important for you to have your dentures inscribed with your name prior to moving into residence. It is now mandatory in most facilities.
After the big five causes of denture loss there is a whole gambit of misfortunes that can occur. Part time wear leading to simple misplacement, fisticuffs, water sports and the list goes on. Remember that if you travel out of the country it is always a good idea to bring along your spare pair. Dentures do not need to be stored in water, they only need to be kept in a clean denture box after being cleaned themselves. Life is unpredictable. Those patients who have kept an old set that they can use temporarily, or have a back up set made are never caught without their smile.