Signs That Your Dentures Need Replacing

Regardless of how well fitted your dentures were when you initially got them, you may have noticed that they no longer feel quite as comfortable as they once did. And this is far from unusual. In fact, one of the most common complaints heard by denture wearers is that their dentures do not fit quite as well as they used to.
 
In most cases, this is not caused by the dentures themselves but by the fact that, as we age, our jaw bones and gums gradually shrink and change shape. Your dentures are made of rigid material that cannot adapt to these changes, however slight. Although the extent of the shrinkage varies from person to person, it is estimated that most dentures will need replacing every five to ten years. On the positive side, an ill-fitting denture is a problem that is relatively easy to correct.
 
Common indicators that your denture might need modifying or replacing include
 
* Slipping or Popping Out of Place: Dentures are supposed to stay firmly in place when you eat, cough, sneeze, or talk. The most obvious sign that they are no longer fitting, as well as they, used to is if they start slipping or moving when you do any of these things.
 
* Sore Spots and/or Pain: Although you might not immediately notice that your dentures are moving, it is very likely that your gums will react to even the slightest movement and develop sore spots. These sores can also be caused by a change in how the dentures push down on your gums when you bite into or chew, something.
 
* Difficulty Eating: It is true that a denture wearer may not be able to eat all the foods they did with their natural teeth. However, a very prominent sign that all is not well is if you notice that you are having trouble chewing food that you were able to eat after you were first fitted with dentures.
 
* Dentures Get Dirtier Than Usual: Well fitting dentures create a tight seal that prevents food particles from getting inside them. However, as dentures begin to loosen, this seal is no longer as effective as it once was, and you will notice that you have to clean more food residue off from inside the denture. The danger to this is that when food collects, bacteria and other fungi accumulate and thrive, causing infections. Your gums will get red, swollen and very tender, possibly making it impossible to use your dentures at all.
 
If you have noticed one or more of these signs, your dentures need to be adjusted or replaced, something we can assist with, in our dentist office. Correcting them involves a process by which the dentist adds additional dental material to the inside of the denture. This material is contoured to fit your gum line thus providing more stability and comfort. However, once again, this solution may only last some two to three years before you need a new set.
 
If and when you find that your dentures no longer have an optimal fit, the one things you should not do is try and adjust your them yourself. Additionally, the process of fixing your dentures will be longer drawn out if you wait until your gums are so sore and swollen that they first have to be given time to heal.