Poor fitting dentures start life as a nuisance, but let them go untreated and they can cause several long-term health issues as well as considerable pain for the wearer. Thankfully, there are plenty of warning signs to look out for to prevent any serious risk to your oral health. Here are 3 top signs that you may be in possession of ill-fitting dentures.
Mouth Sores
Ill-fitting dentures not only cause general discomfort, they can lead to poor oral hygiene if left to rattle about in the mouth. Overtime, an improper fit can cause them to rub against your gums and the inside of your mouth—creating cuts and sores which can lead to recurring infections and even illnesses like gum disease and oral thrush—ouch! At the first signs of any irritability in your gums or cheek lining, be sure to get your dentures checked out.
Problems with Speech
At first, dentures can slightly alter your speech, as with having braces fitted for the first time. However, if you're a veteran dentures wearer and find yourself lisping or slurring your words when you speak, it could be that you are unconsciously clenching your jaw to prevent the dentures from falling out. Good dentures will always stay put. So if you notice the slightest change in your speech, let your dentist know immediately.
Weight Change
It sounds bizarre, but weight gain (or loss) can actually be a telltale sign of ill-fitting dentures. This is because poor fitting dentures make it harder to chew certain foods—causing some people to opt for softer and less fibre and protein-rich foods. Since food is not always chewed properly with bad dentures, some people can also experience various stomach problems as a result of their poor digestion and diet.
Hopefully, in spotting one of the above signs early on, you can nip bad dentures in the bud. If you become aware of any changes or irritability, it's essential that you pay your local denture clinic a visit. They may suggest denture repair, replacement or may even recommend dental implants if this were a suitable alternative for you.
You should never need to put up with poor fitting dentures, so if you're in dire need of relief before you can get treatment, the following tips can help you to cope with your dentures in the meantime:
- Rest your gums at night and sleep without the dentures.
- For the meantime, cut out any foods that make chewing difficult—the less your gums and jaw have to work, the less daily discomfort to you.
- Step up your cleaning routine: Clean your dentures three or four times daily in a cleaning solution. Disinfecting them more regularly than usual can help to prevent sores from appearing and could reduce pain from any infections.
- Stick it to your dentures: Keep loose dentures temporarily in place by self-treating them with glue like Poli Grip. Click here if you're unsure how to use denture adhesive.
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