What Problems Can Come with Ill-Fitting Dentures?

Modern dentures are engineered to be incredibly comfortable and lifelike, so something might be wrong if they start to feel uncomfortable. A poorly-fitting pair of dentures can endanger your oral health by making you more likely to develop injuries or infections. Here are a few of the problems that can arise from a poorly-fitting pair of dentures and a few of the things you can do to prevent or treat them.

Swollen or Sore Gums

A pair of dentures that is no longer fitting properly can abrase sensitive tissues as it slides around the mouth or trap food particles between itself and the gums. Both of these can irritate tissues and lead to inflammation and sores. If left untreated, the resulting sores and distressed tissue can become worse over time, causing bleeding and infection. In some cases, blisters may develop, leading to an especially painful situation.

Jaw Pain

The temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, connect the jaw to the skull and host many muscles used during chewing and speaking. If your dentures are not fitting properly, they can lead to an improper bite, causing the jaw to work harder to chew thoroughly. This can exhaust the TMJ, resulting in annoying headaches or neckaches.

Difficulty Speaking or Chewing

It can be exceedingly difficult to speak clearly or chew thoroughly when your teeth keep sliding around in your mouth. Some patients even occasionally deal with embarrassing situations resulting from their dentures falling out when they are in the middle of saying something. Difficulty chewing can also make it hard to eat the varied and nutritious diet the body needs to stay healthy.

Damage to Healthy Teeth

Many patients use partial dentures to replace several teeth alongside intact natural teeth. If a partial denture doesn’t fit properly, it can grate against and damage healthy teeth as it slides around in its place. This can make these teeth more vulnerable to infection which can cause further tooth loss.

Proper oral hygiene is a great way to keep your mouth healthy while you wear dentures, and many patients use denture adhesive to help keep their dentures in place until their next adjustment. With proper care and maintenance, your dentures can last for ten years or more.

About the Author

Dr. Wanda Davidson earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery and completed a post-graduate specialty program in prosthodontics at the University of Maryland College of Dentistry. She participates in regular and ongoing post-doctoral education to continue expanding her skillset. Her office in Washington, DC offers preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. If you are concerned that your dentures aren’t fitting properly, contact her office online or dial (202) 775-0022.