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If you have suffered from significant tooth loss, dentures are a great, tried and tested way to restore your smile. They are a life-changing solution for those who are missing most of or all of their teeth. While dentures are made to last for several years, they need to be relined and replaced from time to time as your mouth changes. Ill-fitting dentures can result in a variety of complications. Read on to learn why dentures don’t always fit as well as some of the issues that can occur.
Why Do Dentures Become Loose?
When you first got your dentures, they were shaped to perfectly fit in your mouth. You might be wondering – what exactly changed? It might seem like the denture expanded in size, but the reality is that the structure of your face changes over time. When you are missing teeth, your jawbone isn’t being stimulated by the natural tooth roots, so it starts to shrink. Ultimately, this can cause your dentures not to fit properly. This is when you need to see your dentist to have your prosthetic relined or replaced.
Which Issues Can Occur from Ill-Fitting Denture?
Inflammation
If your dentures aren’t fitting as they should, they can rub against your gum tissue, causing you to experience irritation and inflammation of the soft tissue.
Blisters
Loose fitting dentures can cause blasters to develop in various locations in the mouth. This includes gum tissue, the interior surface of the jaw, and other areas of the mouth.
Ear Pain
If your jaw and gums are uncomfortable from loose dentures, pressure in your ears can build up as well. This can cause denture-wearers to experience frequent earaches and headaches.
Difficulty Eating
When your dentures aren’t fitting how they should, this can make it more difficult to eat. No one wants to experience pain when they are trying to get down food. Not eating properly can lead to nutritional deficiencies, leading to a variety of issues throughout the body.
Atrophy of the Jawbone
When the jawbone is constantly being worn down by ill-fitting dentures causing uneven pressure, it can start to break down.
Uneven Bite
Ill-fitting dentures can result in an incorrect bite. This can cause you to drool and result in an overgrowth of yeast. This can cause infection to develop in the future.
If your dentures aren’t fitting how they used to, give your dentist a call. You might need a reline or replacement. By keeping up with your dentures, you can avoid to complications above.
About the Author
Dr. S. John Salivonchik earned his dental doctorate from the Temple Dental School. Since then, he has been committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and OKU Dental Honor Society. To learn more about dentures or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (610) 502-1545.
