Dentures should fit comfortably but snugly on your gum tissue. Once you get used to using them, they should feel like a natural extension of your body. But what if your prosthetic does not fit well? You could end up suffering a number of annoying and even painful complications. What are some specific problems that can be caused by ill-fitting dentures? This blog post lists a few.
Soreness, Swelling, and General Discomfort
Dentures that do not fit well can slip and slide around your mouth, rubbing against your gum tissue. Over time, this can lead to significant soreness, irritation, and swelling. The problem might even reach the point where you no longer want to wear your dentures at all.
Difficulty Eating
Your dentures should equip you to comfortably eat a wide range of foods. However, if they do not fit well, eating and chewing with them can become difficult or even impossible. Some patients with ill-fitting dentures become so frustrated with their inability to consume certain foods that they start to gravitate toward snacks and meals that have little nutritional value.
TMJ Disorder
If your dentures do not fit you well, your lower jaw may need to work hard to keep your prosthetic in place when you are speaking and biting. This can place quite a bit of stress on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which controls your lower jaw. You could end up with TMJ dysfunction (TMD), a complex condition that is associated with chronic jaw pain, frequent headaches, and a number of other symptoms.
Speech Problems
Human speech depends on complex interactions between multiple oral structures, including the teeth. If your dentures do not fit well, you might find it challenging to enunciate certain sounds. You could even reach the point where it is difficult for you to get through a simple conversation without some sort of interference from your prosthetic.
Infections
Ill-fitting dentures can cause you to have an uneven bite. This can cause saliva to accumulate close to the corners of your mouth. You might end up with an infection known as angular cheilitis, which is characterized by patches of red, irritated skin near the mouth.
Make Sure Your Denture Fits Well
Do your dentures fit well? If they do not, now is the time to speak with your dentist. They may be able to adjust your prosthetic or provide a new one so you can get back to enjoying a comfortable, fully functional smile.
Meet the Practice
Northborough Dental Associates proudly provides dentures, denture maintenance, and a full range of other oral health services to members of our community. If you have questions about how to care for or use your replacement teeth, we would love to speak with you. To learn more about us or to request a consultation, get in touch with our friendly team at 508-571-0358.