Dentures can be a fantastic way to restore your smile after extensive tooth loss, but they need regular care and maintenance in order to look great and function properly. The mouth continues to develop after tooth loss, and dentures that used to fit perfectly will eventually start coming loose or poking into the soft tissues uncomfortably. Here are a few complications that can arise from your dentures not fitting right and why it is so important to have them adjusted regularly by your dentist.
Trouble Eating and Speaking
Many people get dentures to improve their eating and speaking ability, but a pair of dentures that doesn’t fit properly can cause problems in both these areas. In order to bite and grind food properly, teeth need a stable position in the mouth. If your dentures aren’t naturally holding on to your gums, they can slip and slide about in your mouth, making it difficult to chew. Speaking with poorly-fitting dentures isn’t any easier, as the patient might find themselves slurring their words. Perhaps most embarrassingly, a loose pair of dentures can fall out of the wearer’s mouth in the middle of speaking.
Oral Discomfort, Injuries, and Infections
Dentures should fit so comfortably that the patient might forget that they are even there. When a set doesn’t fit securely, it can rub against the gums improperly. This can cause irritation, inflammation, swelling, and bleeding. The friction of the dentures moving about can also lead to blisters developing on the soft tissues of the mouth. While these blisters can be quite uncomfortable, they can also be vulnerable to infection.
If your bite isn’t aligning properly due to your dentures having a bad fit, saliva can begin to pool around the corners of your mouth. This can lead to a bacterial infection called angular cheilitis. This itchy, uncomfortable condition appears as angry red patches or streaks at one or both corners of the mouth.
Dentures will need periodic adjustments in order to keep fitting properly. If your dentures seem a bit loose or uncomfortable, your dentist may be able to address the problem by performing a reline or other modification.
About the Practice
Attleboro Dental Group provides patients with the most excellent dental care available in North Attleboro, MA. Led by Drs. William Herr, Andrew Luccio, Poya Jafari, Nancy Mo, Justin Cifuni, and Rachele Luciano, the staff is dedicated to delivering top-notch service in a warm and compassionate environment. Areas of expertise include preventive, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to denture services. For more information on caring for your dentures, contact the office online or dial (774) 331-0260.