Dentures don’t last forever. Just how long your dentures will last depends in part on their quality and fit, but even the best dentures only last for 7 to 10 years.
Once your pair of dentures need to be replaced, it’s important to act soon. The usual reason for dentures needing replacement is a poor fit. A pair of ill-fitting dentures can damage the tissues of your gums, leading to sores that can be uncomfortable and also potentially dangerous.
Dentures are Loose or Falling Out
Dentures should fit snugly in your mouth, held in place by friction. However, as your dentures age, they may begin to feel looser. These are the first signs of age and the first indications that your dentures are nearing the end of their service life. It’s time to bring them to the dentist for adjustment.
Your dentist may be able to adjust your dentures to make them fit better, or they may recommend replacing your dentures, based on the condition of your dentures and how many times you’ve brought them in for an adjustment.
It’s alright to use denture adhesive to keep your dentures in place while you’re waiting to bring them to the dentist. Denture adhesive is not an appropriate long-term fix, so don’t wait to see the dentist.
Dentures Have Chips, Cracks, or Bad Discoloration
Your dentures should closely resemble a healthy set of natural teeth. If your dentures are badly chipped, cracked, or discolored, this isn’t right. You can prevent this kind of problem from occurring by taking good care of your dentures in all the ways recommended by your dentist.
- Rinse your dentures after eating
- Take out our dentures and soak them overnight
- Brush your dentures once every day
- Clean your mouth every time you remove your dentures
- See your dentist regularly
If you’re following these tips and other tips that your dentist gave you for maintaining your dentures, then you should be able to protect your dentures from the worst of the discolorations, cracks, and other forms of cosmetic damage. If your dentures do have cosmetic damage, then it may be time to replace them.
Speaking Is Difficult
When your dentures fit properly, you should be able to speak just as well as you could speak before you ever had dentures. If you’re having a hard time enunciating words around your dentures, this is likely due to a loose fit. Bring your dentures in for an adjustment. If the dentures are unable to be fully adjusted for easy speech, this is a sign that your dentures likely need to be replaced. Your dentist will let you know if your dentures need replacement.
Need New Dentures or a Denture Adjustment? Make An Appointment with Weninger Dentistry
The first place to go when your dentures aren’t fitting properly is the dentist. If you’re having trouble with your dentures, call your dentist at Weninger Dentistry to make an appointment.