Dentures can not only restore your ability to eat and speak properly, but they can also give you a smile you can be proud of. If you have dentures, ensuring that they fit correctly is paramount to keeping your mouth healthy and avoiding potential sores and infections.
The mouth changes over time, just like the rest of the body – so your older dentures may begin to stop fitting as well after a while. If your dentures don’t fit correctly, it is in your best interest to have your dentist perform a re-fitting.
Dentures help to support the natural structures of the face. Therefore, if they do not fit correctly, you may experience deterioration of the gums and jawbone; this lack of support of your facial structures can affect your appearance, such as sunken lips and facial sagging.
Signs that Your Dentist Should Evaluate Your Dentures
In order to prevent aesthetic problems and oral infections due to ill-fitting dentures, visit your dentist if you notice any of the following signs:
Changes in Fit
Dentures should suction smoothly to the gums and should stay in the mouth easily. Likewise, partial dentures should fit perfectly in line with your natural teeth without any significant movement or gaps. If you notice a sudden change to the fit, pain, or discomfort, or if you notice that your dentures don’t fit as well as they should, visit your dentist for a possible adjustment.
Pain or Discomfort
Dentures may never feel as comfortable as your natural teeth, but they shouldn’t cause pain. If you notice soreness in or around the jaw or gums, uneven pressure, or any other discomfort in your mouth, visit your dentist to have your dentures checked.
Difficulty Eating
One of the primary purposes of dentures is to restore normal eating capabilities. It can take time initially to adjust to new dentures, but if you continue to have problems or discomfort when chewing, you should visit your dentist. The dentist may need to refit your dentures in order for them to correspond to the exact shape of your gums.
Changes in Facial Shape
Teeth play a big role in providing structure to the face and keeping the cheeks looking full and even. Dentures are designed to effectively fill this role when natural teeth are lost. Therefore, any changes to the appearance of your facial shape, cheeks, lips, or jawline may indicate that an adjustment to your dentures is necessary to ensure they are fitting properly.
Changes in Speech
When you first get dentures, initially there may be changes in your speech such as slurring, lisping, or excessive salivation, but this should only be temporary as you become used to them. If, however, you’ve had dentures for a while and you notice changes in your speech or your dentures become loose when you talk, they may require an adjustment.
Comprehensive Care for Dentures in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
If you would like more information about dentures or prolonging the life of your current dentures, come and see Dr. Steven Hagerman and his caring dental team at Hagerman Dental Care. We offer comprehensive dental services and are committed to your whole family’s oral health.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hagerman, call us today at (651) 646-2392 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to being your dental healthcare partner!