Dentures are one of the most popular options for replacing missing teeth. Whether you’ve been fitted with a partial denture to replace a section of missing teeth or full dentures to replace the top, bottom, or both rows of teeth, dentures can take a while to get used to wearing and using. As a result, there are a few problems that people frequently report experiencing with their dentures.
Keep reading to learn more about these common problems that occur with dentures and what you can do to fix them.
7 Common Denture Problems and How to Fix Them
1. Difficulty Eating
When you first get a new set of dentures, it will take some time to get used to eating, drinking, and chewing with them. Until you’re more accustomed to eating with dentures, it’s best to stick with soft foods cut into small pieces that will be easier to chew. Avoid hard foods like nuts or seeds that can get stuck beneath the dentures and try to avoid eating sticky foods which can also be challenging at first.
Additionally, chewing food on both sides of your mouth at the same time will help to stabilize your dentures and prevent them from slipping while you eat.
2. Trouble Talking or Pronouncing Certain Words
When you first get dentures, you might find that talking normally is a challenge. This should be expected, and you will adjust with time and practice. Speaking more slowly and practicing saying words out loud will help.
However, if your dentures tend to move out of place when you smile or laugh, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to improve your denture fit. In the meantime, biting down gently and swallowing will move them back into place.
3. Increased Saliva Production
Salivating is part of the digestive system, and it’s a normal response to having a foreign object (likely food) inside your mouth. Introducing a new denture could also trigger you to salivate more than normal. This will likely continue until your nervous system and salivary glands get used to having dentures inside your mouth.
Eventually, you will get used to the dentures and stop producing excess saliva. Until you have adjusted, you can always enjoy a peppermint or other hard candy to help your mouth feel more natural.
4. Mouth and Gum Irritation
Mouth irritation and some soreness is normal when you first start wearing dentures. Rinse with warm salt water to soothe your gums and prevent infection and try a denture adhesive to reduce movement and friction between your dentures and gums.
If irritation persists or worsens, talk with your dentist about improving the fit of your dentures. Also remember that your muscle definition and bone structure will change slightly over time, so your dentures will need to be adjusted occasionally to ensure you always enjoy a perfect fit.
5. Denture Slippage
Dentures can sometimes slip out of place – especially when eating, laughing, smiling, or coughing. To move them back into position, bite down gently and swallow. You will eventually get used to wearing your new dentures, and your muscles, cheeks, and gums will learn how to hold them in place. Using a denture fixative or adhesive can also help reduce slippage.
If your dentures continue to slip and move around more than you would like, schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss and adjust the fit of your dentures.
6. Mouth Infections
Individuals who wear dentures are prone to developing two types of mouth infections that are related to an excess of yeast growth in the mouth:
- Cheilitis leads to cracking and inflammation at the corners of the mouth.
- Stomatitis is characterized by red bumps, mouth sores, or general inflammation typically on the roof of the mouth.
Both of these infections can be treated with medication and proper denture care. However, they can also be prevented by ensuring your dentures fit properly to reduce moist areas between the dentures and gums.
Taking proper care of your dentures by cleaning them everyday will also help reduce your risk of developing a mouth infection. You should clean and disinfect your dentures daily with a soft-bristled denture brush and specially formulated denture cleanser, which is milder and less abrasive than toothpaste.
Talk to a Cincinnati Dentist About Denture Alternatives
If you have already tried addressing these common denture problems with a dentist, but find that you still aren’t satisfied with the function or feeling of wearing dentures, we encourage you to talk with a dentist at Eastgate Dental Excellence about alternative teeth replacement treatments.
Traditional dentures are no longer the only option for patients who are missing multiple teeth or even all of their teeth. We can fit you with a partial bridge, dental implants, or replace both the upper and bottom teeth arches with a new treatment called all-on-4. All-on-4 is a treatment that anchors a complete dental bridge to four dental implants to replace the bottom, top, or both rows of teeth. These treatments can provide patients with replacement teeth that feel and function more like their natural teeth.
To learn more about improving the fit, feel, and function of your dentures or to talk with a dentist about whether or not you’re a candidate for an alternative teeth replacement procedure, we welcome you to contact Eastgate Dental Excellence today.