New technologies and materials allow dentures to closely look and feel natural. They’ll fit your mouth like a glove using suction to stay in place. However, it’s normal for dentures to slip over the years because your mouth changes shape naturally. Without routine adjustments, your dentures can irritate your soft tissues, slip, or they may even fall out, but those aren’t the only concerns. Here are 5 risks of ill-fitting dentures.
1. Sores, Inflammation, and Infections
Slipping dentures will irritate your soft tissues over time. It’s not uncommon for your gums to be painful or inflamed. You may develop sores or blisters. If the necessary adjustments aren’t made, it can cause infections that can compromise your oral and general health.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies
If your mouth is sore or your teeth won’t stay in place, it can be challenging or painful to chew certain foods. As a result, you may eliminate certain things from your diet, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies that can affect your health negatively.
3. Difficulty Speaking
Your teeth play an important role in your ability to speak clearly and confidently. If your pearly whites won’t stay in place, speaking can be awkward and embarrassing. Not to mention, there’s the risk of your dentures falling out mid-sentence.
4. Headaches
Recurring headaches can be caused by poor-fitting dentures. It can cause uneven pressure distribution on your temporomandibular joints, which are on either side of your face, holding your jaw to your skull. Not only can this lead to facial pain and jaw stiffness, but also headaches.
5. Angular Cheilitis
If your upper and lower dentures don’t align properly, it can cause saliva to pool near the corners of your mouth. This can cause a bacterial infection from an overgrowth of yeast, called angular cheilitis. Red irritated patches or streaks can appear in one or both corners of the mouth, which can be itchy and painful.
Stop Slipping Dentures Today
Ill-fitting dentures aren’t an issue you want to ignore. Your dentist can perform the adjustments or replacements necessary to stop the irritation and slipping. You’ll have the confidence you need to eat and speak, knowing your teeth will not fall out.
As an alternative to traditional dentures, you will never have to worry about adjustments again when adding dental implants to your smile. They’ll anchor your denture to your jawbone to benefit from unmatched support and stability. Not to mention, they can last for decades, so you’ll save money on replacements.
Don’t spend another day living with the struggles of poor-fitting dentures. Your dentist has the solutions you need to look and feel your best.
About Dr. Stacy Goodwill
Dr. Goodwill achieved her dental degree at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry and completed advanced education in general and cosmetic dentistry. She is also a Fellow of the International Dental Association. Dr. Goodwill has the experience and qualifications to treat the most complex tooth loss cases. Contact our office today to request your consultation.