An essential part of having healthy, comfortable dentures is a proper fit. When you receive dentures, your denturist will determine the appropriate denture fit to make sure that the dentures form a suitable seal with your gums in addition to ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible for you to eat, smile and speak. This initial fitting will provide you with a great fit, but if it doesn’t, contact your denturist to adjust them.
Over time, however, the fit of your dentures is likely to change as a result of wear and tear from everyday activities. Here are some signs which indicate that it’s time for a denture re-fit.
Denture Movement
The most obvious sign of a bad denture fit is loose dentures that move in your mouth, especially when eating or smiling. Although after your initial denture fitting, your denture might have been a perfect fit for your mouth, the shape of your mouth or jaw can change over time (particularly during times of significant weight loss), offsetting its fit. Any kind of denture should fit snugly in your mouth constantly without movement, but if you notice even the slightest movement, contact your denturist.
Sores, Swelling or Redness in Your Mouth
Ill-fitted or loose dentures tend to rub against your mouth or gums, causing swelling, redness and pain. The prolonged friction due to the rubbing can cause sores to form, causing pain even when your denture is not in your mouth.
Also, when your dentures are not fitted properly, your bite alignment can change, which alters the distribution of the pressure on your jaw whenever you bite. This can lead to an ache in your jaw muscles. Uneven bite force distribution needs to be addressed quickly to avoid gum, jaw pain or its other accompanying symptoms, like an inflamed temporomandibular joint or headaches.
Oral Infections
Without a firm seal between your dentures and your gums, bacteria or food can get trapped in the gap leading to infections. If you often experience oral infections or diseases, it could be as a result of improper denture fit. You should get frequent denture exams with your denturist to make sure that they are in good health.
Trouble Eating
While it is considered normal for first-time denture wearers to experience some difficulty when eating at first, the adjustment to the prosthetics should be fairly quick. If you continue to experience problems while chewing or if the problem worsens, an adjustment is needed. Getting an adjustment will ensure a secure fit and allow you to chew with more ease.
Broken, Chipped or Cracked Dentures
Suppose you drop and break your denture. Avoid attempting to reattach the halves yourself, either with an over-the-counter denture repair kit or a household adhesive, because at-home attachments usually result in irregular fits and issues in the future.
Also, an accidentally dropping may not claim an entire denture tooth, but you may notice some cracks or chips. While these may not pose immediate threats to your denture’s function, they do create sharp and uneven surfaces that cut or irritate oral soft tissues. Meet your denturist or look for ‘denture repair near me’ to fill in these defects to prevent them from getting bigger over time.
Facial Shape Changes
Your teeth play a huge role in keeping your face looking full and even. Replacement teeth perform this function just as effectively as your natural teeth. So, any changes to your jawline’s or cheeks’ appearance indicate that your dentures most likely need adjustment.
Conclusion
Ill-fitting dentures can lead to several serious issues, from chewing and speaking difficulties to oral infections, pain and discomfort. To avoid these issues, it is important to know when to see your denturist about the fit of your dentures. Having your ill-fitting dentures adjusted sooner rather than later will help you avoid potential oral health issues in the long run.
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