SafePlants

Dentures (False Teeth)

Dentures, also known as false teeth, are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth. They are supported by the surrounding soft and hard tissues of the mouth.

Considerations for Children

• One book mentioned includes a removable sticker, suggesting possible small parts or choking hazards for very young children.

Materials and Construction

• Dentures can be made of acrylic (plastic), nylon, or metal.
• They fit snugly over the gums.
• Both complete and partial dentures are available. Complete dentures cover the entire upper or lower jaw. Partial dentures are plates with one or more false teeth, sometimes attached with clips (clasps).
• Historical dentures were even made from materials like hippopotamus ivory and human teeth, anchored with silk threads.

Historical and Traditional Uses

• The text mentions George Washington having high-quality false teeth consisting of a denture plate made of carved hippopotamus ivory into which human teeth were set.

Functionality and Perception

• Dentures aim to eliminate gaps caused by missing teeth and improve the appearance of a smile.
• The text acknowledges a common perception that false teeth "look bad, are loose, and are for the very old" but implies this is not necessarily the case.

Care and Maintenance

• The text emphasizes that professional dental care is needed if dentures break or don't fit well.
• Specific instructions exist for brushing false teeth to minimize surface scratching, as well as for selecting the proper denture brush and cleanser.

Quirky Facts

• Someone in Ukraine's Odessa region discovered thousands of sets of false teeth stockpiled under a previous governor.
• False teeth, along with items like crutches, ladies' knickers, and a leather whip, have been found left on buses.

Synonyms

• False teeth
• Denture