Most people would probably be surprised to learn that false teeth or dentures aren't entirely modern inventions. As early as 700 BC, for instance, the Etruscans harvested human and animal teeth as replacements. Some civilizations resorted to seashells or even wood, with varying degrees of success. It wasn’t until the 1700s when physicians were able to craft permanent dentures made of ivory, similar to what George Washington wore.

Porcelain dentures were introduced in 1774, although they paled in comparison to ivory dentures in terms of durability. Due to the high cost of ivory, a lot of patients typically opted for replacement teeth from human sources. By the 1850s, denture makers switched to hardened rubber (dubbed “Vulcanite”) and eventually to acrylic resins and plastics in the 20^th century.

Various technological innovations have taken place since then, and nowadays, dental implants made of biocompatible titanium are recognized as some of the most ideal solutions for tooth loss. However, some scientists agree that the complexity and cost involved in dental implant installation may in fact encourage a sizable number of people to opt for dentures or denture implants up to 2020. They predict that by that year, about 37 million people would need complete dentures, compared to about 33.6 million in 1991.

Along with cancer, possible lung failure, and even potential liver problems, there's yet another negative side effect of smoking that those who have grown addicted to nicotine should be aware of. While the belief may be that cigarettes can only cause significant damage to the teeth, it is also a fact that they affect the bones, as well. To ensure that you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants when you need it the most, you should stop smoking as soon as possible.

The main issue that emerges from excessive cigarette smoking with regards to dentures is that it can degrade bone quality. Dental implants rely on the structural integrity of your facial features in order to properly fit and acclimatize inside your gum and jaw bone. Hence, the effect that smoking has on these areas can work to greatly reduce the odds of the implant remaining intact.

Smokers may fear that their longstanding habit may have already disqualified them from ever having full use of dental implants, but studies have shown that the effects of smoking on the oral cavity in particular can still be reversed over time. Dropping the habit of smoking earlier can speed up the reversal process and enable the implantation of the dentures to be done on a later date.

False teeth shouldn't really embarrass you because many people are just naturally prone to tooth loss because of gum disease, and because many things we hear in the dentistry world are just myths. At the top of the myth list in false teeth is the common belief that George Washington had wooden dentures; in truth, he had ivory, gold, and lead dentures—none were made of wood.

Although some dentures are pretty obvious, especially when they come a bit loose and if they click when you chew, there are ones that have natural appearances. As long as they are properly cleaned, maintained, and fitted, you wouldn't have to worry much about it.

Another myth is that people with dentures can't eat normally or even speak like they used to. Even though things wouldn't be the same, not all people have dietary restrictions or problems with moving their mouths while wearing dentures in general, especially with proper fitting ones.

Dentures also don't require adhesives, and would only need them when they accidentally come loose. However, using them for a long time can affect your oral health, so have a dentist check your dentures and see what he can do to make it fit perfectly again. Getting a set of new chompers may seem embarrassing at first, but not getting them have its own repercussions. These include bone loss, changes in facial features, and obvious gaps in the teeth, particularly the ones in front.

Do you know that somewhere in your body is an area called “The Triangle of Death”? Very few people have heard of the term, let alone know what it means and where it's located. But be assured, it's a real area, and you have it.

To find out where this area is, draw an imaginary line from the outer tip of one eyebrow to another. Now draw two imaginary lines from these tips down to where they meet in the center of your chin. The area in the middle of the lines you just drew is the Triangle of Death.

That part of your body is named as such because within it are structures that are prone to infection, namely, the mouth, the nose, and the eyes. These parts lie very close to the brain and heart, and it's this proximity that makes infections in these areas fatal. This is the reason dental procedures such as extractions or root canals should never be done without first administering antibiotics to the patient.

There have been cases when infection from bad teeth reached the bloodstream and went directly to the heart, causing death. Thus, it's important that you find a reliable dentist who can ensure that your dental work will be infection-free, or commence a course in antibiotics if infection is present.