4 Issues Caused by Ill-Fitting Dentures

As the shape of your mouth changes, you may find that your dentures no longer fit as well as they used to. This might sound like something you can simply learn to live with, but the truth is that wearing ill-fitting dentures for an extended period of time can lead to all sorts of complications. Below are 4 examples of problems you might experience if you continue to use dentures that don’t fit properly.

1. Swollen and Sore Gums

Ill-fitting dentures have a tendency to rub against the gums. Over time, this friction can significantly irritate your soft tissues, causing them to swell and making them more prone to bleeding. On top of that, your inflamed gums are likely to start feeling sore, and blisters might appear. In short, ill-fitting dentures can cause significant discomfort if you don’t do something about them.

2. Unclear Speech

As you can probably guess, if your dentures don’t fit correctly, they become more likely to slip out of place at inopportune moments. In particular, they may start moving around when you’re trying to talk; this can cause you to lisp or slur your words. You therefore need to find a solution for your ill-fitting dentures as quickly as possible if you want to be able to speak clearly when it counts the most.

3.  Eating Problems

If your dentures aren’t staying in place, they can make it hard to chew a wide variety of foods. As such, you may end up limiting your diet to foods that are easy for you to handle, which can potentially lead to poor nutrition. On top of that, there’s a chance that food might get trapped under your dentures, which can significantly increase your risk for gum disease.

4. Damage to Your Natural Teeth

If you still have some of your natural teeth, there’s a chance that they could be damaged by ill-fitting dentures. A loose partial denture can rub against the natural teeth, wearing down their enamel. Thinner enamel tends to be more easily damaged and is often more vulnerable to decay.

What Should You Do About Ill-Fitting Dentures?

So what can you do if your dentures no longer fit correctly? Your best option is to call your dentist to schedule an appointment. They can take a look at your prosthesis in order to determine the best next steps. Sometimes the issue can be solved by relining the dentures. In other cases, though, the dentures might have to be replaced entirely.

There’s no reason to force yourself to live with the consequences of ill-fitting dentures. The sooner you act, the sooner you can once again enjoy a properly fitting prosthesis that improves the quality of your everyday life.

About the Practice

At Whitinsville Family Dentistry, our dentists have decades of combined experience that they put to excellent use by helping local families enjoy healthier smiles. We’re proud to offer fully personalized dentures as a way to help patients who have lost most or all of their teeth. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (508) 234-8107.