Missing teeth can affect several aspects of your life. Fortunately, dentures are an effective solution that’ll allow you to enjoy a fully functioning bite once again. If you fail to take proper care of your prosthetics, they can become damaged and require adjustment or repair. Ill-fitting dentures may seem like a mere annoyance, but they can become a life-threatening problem unless dealt with right away. Read on to learn how slipping dentures can affect your oral health and which signs indicate you should visit your dentist for adjustments.
The Dangers of Ill-Fitting Dentures
Studies have discovered that poor oral health is associated with a higher rate of oral cancer. In the past, ill-fitting dentures have been mentioned as a cause of oral cancer. Although research has debunked that claim, there’s enough information that indicates they can certainly contribute to the development of the condition. That’s because they can lead to chronic inflammation, which causes cell damage over time. If the changes in cells start to grow too fast for your body to repair them, they can become cancer cells. The longer inflammation lasts, the better chance cells have to become cancerous.
Signs Your Dentures Need Adjustment or Repair
If you’re not sure whether your dentures need adjustment or repair, here are some signs that may indicate it’s time to give your dentist a call:
- Broken Teeth: Improperly handling your dentures may cause you to accidentally break a tooth. If that happens, do not try and reattach it yourself. Otherwise, it could result in an irregular fit.
- Chips or Cracks: Having a chip or crack in your artificial teeth may not affect the denture’s function, but they can irritate or cut your mouth tissues. You need to have a dentist fill in the defects to prevent the damage from worsening.
- Difficulty Chewing: Dentures are meant to restore your bite to full functionality. If you’re having trouble chewing, it could indicate that your oral appliances need to be refitted to the exact shape of your gums.
- Discomfort: You shouldn’t have jaw soreness, uneven pressure, or another type of discomfort from your dentures. If you do, you should contact your dentist for relief.
- Pressure Sores: These usually develop when your dentures are not well-fitted for your mouth. Because the pressure from your dentures should be evenly distributed across your gums, this shouldn’t be a problem at all. Should you ever notice these sores, your dentures need to be readjusted immediately.
Taking proper care of your dentures will help you enjoy a healthy, beautiful, and strong smile for years to come. It’ll also keep life-threatening complications off your radar!
About the Practice
At Cove Choice Dental, we provide high-quality and exceptional dental care to patients of all ages. Our goal is to help all families achieve optimal oral health. If you think you have ill-fitting dentures, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance. You can make an appointment via our website or call (254) 987-6777.