4 Denture Problems Preventing You From Actually Eating
Have you been wearing dentures for more than 10 years and feel like you've gotten used to them so you can eat with them? Have you lost more teeth that need to be added to your existing partial denture that you haven't had time to take care of? Or have you been wearing dentures for so long that even though they're covered with plaque and calculus, since it's out of sight and in your mouth you can deal with it later? Later might be too late when it has to do with your own personal health and well-being, and could result in you paying a ridiculous amount of money to fix.
Problem #1 - Constant Changes
Throughout your lifetime your mouth is constantly changing. If you lose any teeth the surrounding teeth will be affected. The effect is generally over-eruption or undesired mobility. This means teeth can shift to unnatural angles or heights that will directly affect your smile and bite. Having all your teeth extracted will result in the remaining ridge and gums to resorb and shrink. This means that a denture made to fit nice and snug on the first day will not fit as tightly as the years go by.
Problem #2 - Universal Adaptability
Humans are very adaptive creatures. A slightly loose denture may seem okay on the surface, but the uneven pressures on your denture have several consequences. Too much uneven pressure on your ridges can cause the tissues to become mobile. This mobility can cause an irreversible process that would weaken the bone support for your denture. Uneven pressures will also lead to stress fractures in the acrylic that will accumulate overtime. There are many stories of dentures breaking during the most important of occasions. Gorilla glue might save you from the temporary embarrassment, but it will consequently introduce toxic chemicals into your mouth and digestive system.
Problem #3 - Negative Alternatives
Many people get away with ill-fitting or loose dentures for longer than is healthy. Most of the time, the solution to loose dentures are denture adhesives or denture glue. Using denture glue in small amounts is safe. Overuse of any kind of denture adhesives over time has been known to affect the health poorly. Poorly maintained and non-hygienic dentures also lead to a breeding ground for bacteria in your mouth. The dentures are in direct contact with mucosal tissue and blood vessels leading to the brain and heart. Several denture-related conditions could include denture-induced-stomatitis (inflammation and reddening of the gums), leukoplakia (white patches), and angular cheilitis (folding of the corners of the lips causing it harbor bacteria, redden or bleed).
Problem #4 - Denture Teeth are not as Strong as Natural Teeth
The teeth on the dentures are equally as important. Once denture teeth are worn or flat, the life of the denture has reached its expiry date. Chewing becomes more difficult and the reduced height of the teeth directly affects your jaw and your jaw joints, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), negatively. Your face collapses because your upper and lower jaw become closer together than they should be and your TMJ suffers from abnormal positioning, making the condition of your denture teeth very important.
Start With a Healthy You
A well-fitted denture is your best and healthiest solution. The tight and snug fit distributes forces evenly and gives your oral tissues a healthy stimulation. Don't fall into the trap of getting used to a slightly loose denture or slightly flatter teeth. The problems are not always noticeable but the signs are. Don't ignore the signs! You are in control of your health and well-being. Visit a denturist to prevent any problems before they arise and catch you off guard. Your denturist is a trained professional that sees you chairside. They also work with your teeth in the lab. Your denturist helps improve your oral health and keeps you smiling.
