If you have suffered from significant tooth loss, dentures are a lifechanging solution. They can restore the appearance and function of your smile. While dentures are made to last for many years, they need to be relined and replaced from time to time as your mouth changes. Ill-fitting dentures can result in various complications. Continue reading to learn why dentures don’t always fit and some of the issues that you can encounter.
Why Do Dentures Become Loose?
When you first got your dentures, they were perfectly shaped to fit in your mouth. You may be wondering – what changed? It may seem like the denture expanded in size, but the truth is that the structure of your face changes over time. When you are missing teeth, your jawbone isn’t being stimulated by the natural tooth roots, so it starts to shrink. Ultimately, this can cause your dentures to not fit correctly. This is when you need to see your dentist to have your restoration relined or replaced.
What Issues Can Occur from Ill-Fitting Dentures?
Inflammation
If your dentures aren’t fitting right, they can rub against your gum tissue, resulting in irritation and inflammation of the soft tissue.
Blisters
Loose fitting dentures can cause blisters to develop in various locations in the mouth. This includes gum tissue, the interior surface of the jaw, and other areas of the mouth.
Ear Pain
If your jaw and gums are uncomfortable from loose dentures, pressure in your ears can build up as well. This can cause you to experience frequent ear aches and headaches.
Difficulty Eating
When your dentures aren’t fitting how they should, this can make it more difficult to eat. No one wants to experience pain when they are trying to get down food. Not eating properly can lead to nutritional deficiencies, leading to various problems throughout the body.
Atrophy of the Jawbone
When the jawbone is constantly being worn down by ill-fitting dentures causing uneven pressure, it can start to break down.
Uneven Bite
Ill-fitting dentures can result in an incorrect bite. This can cause you to drool and result in an overgrowth of yeast. This can cause infection to develop in the future.
If your dentures don’t fit how they used to, give your dentist a call. You may need a reline or replacement. By keeping up with your dentures, you can avoid the complications above.
About the Practice
At Milton Hill Dental, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Milton Community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about dentures or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (617) 696-4800.