Dentures are one of the most popular solutions for missing teeth. They allow patients to speak, eat, and smile once again with complete confidence! While they’re surely long-lasting, they’re not a permanent method of tooth replacement. If you fail to take proper care of your dentures, they can become damaged and require adjustment or repair. When that happens, they can become a life-threatening problem unless they’re dealt with right away. Here’s how ill-fitting dentures can affect your oral health and which signs indicate they need to be adjusted or repaired.
What Are the Dangers of Ill-Fitting Dentures?
One study suggests that poor oral health, including missing teeth, is associated with a higher rate of oral cancer. In the past, ill-fitting dentures have been mentioned as a cause of oral cancer. However, recent studies were unable to prove that denture wearers are at an increased risk of that condition. But even though the false teeth themselves do not lead to cancer, they can certainly contribute to it.
Ill-fitting dentures can lead to chronic inflammation, which over a long period of time can cause cell damage. If the changes in cells start to grow too fast for your body to repair them, they can become cancer cells. Essentially, the longer inflammation lasts, the better chance cells have to become cancerous.
Signs Your Dentures Need Adjustment or Repair
Are you unsure whether your dentures need adjustment or repair? Look out for the following signs:
Broken Teeth
You must be careful when handling your dentures, or you may break a tooth. If that happens, do not try and reattach it yourself. Using a household adhesive or over-the-counter repair kit could result in an irregular fit. Instead, contact your dentist right away and ask for their help.
Chips or Cracks
Sometimes, an accident can cause chips or cracks in your false teeth. Although they might not affect the denture’s function, they can irritate or cut your mouth tissues. To prevent the damage from worsening, have your dentist fill in the defects.
Difficulty Chewing
The sole purpose of dentures is to restore your bite to full functionality. If you’re having difficulty chewing even past the initial adjustment period, it could indicate that your dentures need to be refit to the exact shape of your gums.
Discomfort
Do you have jaw soreness, uneven pressure, or another discomfort from your dentures? Contact your dentist and voice your concerns. You should never feel any discomfort with your artificial teeth!
Pressure Sores
These develop when your dentures are not well-fitted for your mouth. Usually, the sores occur in places on your gums where dentures put more pressure. Since the pressure from your dentures should be evenly distributed across your gums, you should not run into that problem at all. If you notice these sores, it’s a strong indication that your dentures to be adjusted.
By taking proper care of your dentures, you can keep life-threatening complications out of your radar. Plus, it’ll help your new smile last for as long as possible!
About the Practice
At Cove Dental, our goal is to provide exceptional, world-class, compassionate dental care for every patient that walks through our door. We’ll do everything we can to make your experience as enjoyable and convenient as possible. If you think your dentures are ill-fitting, don’t hesitate to contact our team for an evaluation. We’ll adjust and repair them as needed so you can get back to enjoying your life! Visit our website or call (254) 987-6777 to schedule an appointment.