The Brown Recluse is a name that strikes fear into hearts. We hope we might never encounter this eight-legged arachnid. Less familiar but equally terrifying, is the Denture Recluse, the person who slowly reorients their lifestyle around an poor-fitting denture and withdraws from society. While a Recluse spider is deadly to us, a Denture Recluse is deadly to themselves. The question is, What does one look like?
My father’s aunt is a lovely lady. She lives far enough up north that I don’t see her often, but when I did, she was always the one to host our family reunions. In a small mountain town called Paradise, we'd gather to walk through the towering pines, catch up on each other’s lives, and....EAT. There was always serious eating to be done at these gatherings, just like Thanksgiving and Christmas also involve seriously good food. This last time we saw Auntie, she quietly let us go out to dinner without her, saying dismissively, “Getting older is hell.”
I learned Auntie had new dentures that were uncomfortable for chewing. She found it embarrassing to be seen in public eating so slowly and painfully. She would rather sit at home, alone in complete isolation than go out with the family that she only sees once a year. It was evident she was suffering from depression and wasting self-esteem. While the rest of the family celebrated being together, she became a Recluse.
Such isolation is terrible. This is not a condition limited to one woman in a Northern mountain town. I see people like this in my practice every day, and it breaks my heart.
There is an antidote for the poison of the deadly Denture Recluse. It comes in the form of a new smile. Particularly with the holidays coming up, I find it is important to let people find their confidence again with a custom, well-fitting, beautiful dentures so they don’t have to miss one more event or excuse themselves from one more gathering.
The greatest reward is to hear things like, “I feel like I have my life back,” or “I went to church on Sunday for the first time after an entire year.” How can I not love my work? Don't be left out of this year's family celebrations. Call today to learn how we can help return you to life!
