Common Denture Problems (And Their Solution)
Dentures are a replacement for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into the patient’s mouth at any time. They can give the patient a fully functional smile that has a completely natural appearance. Sometimes the patient can damage the dentures in which case he needs to seek treatment.
If you’re getting dentures for the first time, it is normal for you to be nervous. When you first get dentures, there are some common problems that people face. While damage to dentures is almost inevitable, we can help our patients in the prevention of possible damage and other issues by going over some great methods for effective denture use before receiving the dentures. Following is what to expect when you start wearing dentures, what problems can occur and how to solve them.
Slipping Dentures
Unlike normal teeth that are secured into your gums, dentures need some muscle power to keep them in place. Your dentures might slip out of position occasionally. Your tongue, cheeks, and lips can kick your dentures out of place. This can happen when you are talking, eating, coughing, laughing or smiling.
How to make your dentures fit better? If your dentures happen to slip out of place you should try to gently reposition them by swallowing and biting down, and after some time you will learn how to hold them in place with your tongue and the muscles in your cheeks. What can also be helpful is denture adhesive. Denture adhesive can make your dentures feel more secure and stay in place. When using an adhesive, you should only use a small amount and follow the instructions carefully. If the slipping continues and you’re can get used to your new dentures, you should see the dentist.
Irritation in The Gums or Mouth
Irritation within the mouth or on the gums can be caused if the dentures do not fit properly. There is a higher chance of the gums beginning to hurt in case the dentures start to loosen after several months of use.
The best solution for irritation is prevention. Patients can prolong the life of their dentures by taking proper preventive measures. If the gums continue to cause irritation, we recommend you schedule an appointment to examine the mouth and locate the problem.
Cleaning Problems
Your new daily routine can take some time getting used to because cleaning dentures is not the same as cleaning your natural teeth. At first, you may find that you are damaging your dentures as you clean them, you are not using the right cleaners, or you are not cleaning your dentures often enough. Luckily, these problems are fixable.
The American Dental Association (A) says that you can use a dishwashing liquid or a hand soap to clean your dentures safely and recommend brushing your dentures daily. You should avoid using regular toothpaste because they can scratch your dentures and are abrasive.
You need to remove the dentures from your mouth in order to clean them. In order not to drop the dentures while you are brushing them, you should be careful with how you hold them, because this could lead to breaks, chips, and other damage. To help with this, you can fill the sink with water, or you can use a towel and put it at the bottom of your sink to ease the fall. Dentures might lose their shape if they are allowed to dry out, so you should soak them in denture cleanser overnight.
Ill-fitting Dentures
Finding that your dentures are not fitting as well as they originally did and have become loose is a quite common problem. When dentures are loose-fitting, patients are likely to eat softer foods and eat less. Lower nutritional intake and poor diet can cause a range of digestive and health problems.
There are a number of reasons why your dentures can become loose. One of the most common reasons is when the gums begin to shrink due to the fact, they no longer need to hold your teeth in place, also known as bone resorption. This process uses calcium from the jawbone and takes it to other areas of the body that are in need. To help prevent bone resorption you should chew solid foods that will keep your gums healthy and strong and use your jaw as much as you can.
Loose dentures can rub on the gums and cause a callus which asks for a dental treatment to be removed. Another factor that contributes to loose-fitting dentures is everyday wearing. In order to preserve your dentures and your gums, you should take your dentures out at night and practice good denture care.
Difficulty Eating
Eating may be difficult when you start wearing dentures. You might need some practice in order to start eating with dentures comfortably. Like we mentioned before, your dentures could slip out of position when chewing or biting down. Certain types of food like seeds can cause discomfort if they get stuck under your dentures.
When your dentures are new, stick to easy-to-eat foods so you can avoid these problems. To make chewing easier, cut your food into smaller pieces. Try to chew your food with both sides of the mouth to keep your dentures stable. After some time of getting used to the dentures, you will eventually eat the same food you ate before you had the dentures.
Trouble Speaking
What can also be difficult when you get new dentures is speaking. The dentures might interfere with your speech and feel like a foreign object in your mouth. At first, you will need to learn to move your tongue around the dentures to form the words correctly, but eventually, you will have no problem doing this. What can help is to practice speaking in private, like talking to yourself or reading aloud articles or books.
In case you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned denture problems, you can seek professional help with our experienced dentists near you that are always ready to help. Each of our dental offices accepts all major insurances because we are a strong believer in quality dental care for everyone. Head to our locations page and choose the nearest dental clinic to you or dial our phone number 352-306-0062 to schedule an appointment.