Signs That Your Dentures May Need Replacing

Well made dentures are mostly very durable, but they are neither indestructible nor meant to last permanently. Meticulous care of your dentures, will extend their life and maintain their appearance, however, over time, they will have to be either repaired or replaced. As a person ages, the contour of their jaw changes, which can negatively affect how the dentures fit.  A second factor is the deterioration of the materials used to construct the dentures, which will also affect how they fit.  For these reasons, the denture should typically be exchanged for a new set every eight to ten years.
 
Why Dentures Become Loose

If the dentures you are currently wearing were once comfortable but are now painful and causing you problems, they either need to be adjusted or replaced. Ill-fitting or loose dentures are largely caused by the changing shape of a person's jaw and gum line, which is a natural part of getting older. The majority of people with dentures experience approximately 1mm of bone loss every year, causing the gum ridges to recede or shrink, and the dentures to fit less securely.
 
Poorly fitting dentures that continue to rub against the remaining bone in your jaw can cause even more bone loss. If the gums or the bone in your jaw do shrink, the lower part of your jaw may become misaligned with the upper part of your jaw, leading to sagging facial muscles. This could cause wrinkles to appear around your mouth giving the appearance of premature aging.
 
You should not put off visiting our dentist office when your dentures become loose. Ill-fitting dentures not only cause discomfort, but can make you susceptible to serious infections. Dentures that don't fit well can cause sore spots, irritation and swelling from the acrylic rubbing against the gums. Left untreated, the discomfort will increase, and your infection can only get worse.
 
In some cases, the reason for replacing your denture may have to do with the denture itself,  not with how your jaw has changed over time. While the materials used to manufacture modern dentures are quite durable, the inevitable deterioration and wear that occur over time will eventually render the dentures esthetically unpleasant. The pink, plastic portion of a denture that mimics a person's gums will, over time, lose its natural appearance, texture and color, making the dentures appear quite artificial. Denture plastics that have deteriorated may also become excessively contaminated with microorganisms, which may contribute to mouth irritations, a bad taste in the mouth and socially unacceptable odors.
 
Common Symptoms of Ill-Fitting Dentures

• Difficulty eating, which can potentially lead to malnutrition
• Gum and mouth irritation
• A dull pain in or around the ears
• Problems speaking
• Dentures that are loose or move in your mouth
• A clicking or snapping noise when chewing
• Consistent Headaches
• Infections in the mouth

Ill-fitting dentures are a very treatable problem. If your dentures are causing you discomfort or just don't look good anymore, it may be time to see us to replace them.