What Can Happen If My Dentures Don’t Fit Right?

Dentures have come a long way since George Washington wore false teeth made of ivory. Modern dentures are incredibly lifelike and so comfortable that people often forget that they’re wearing them at all. However, they will require periodic adjustments to adapt to the changing shape of the mouth, and poorly fitting dentures can lead to a variety of oral health complications. Here are a few issues that can arise if your dentures aren’t holding their place properly.

Difficulty with Speech and Eating

A pair of dentures should fit comfortably in the mouth without the patient exerting any effort to keep them in place. However, a poor fit can cause this appliance to slip and slide about the mouth, even when its wearer is chewing or eating. An insecure pair of dentures can make it difficult to grind food into an easily swallowed state, and, during speaking, it might result in lisping or even its falling out of the mouth in the middle of saying something. These can be embarrassing inconveniences and major hindrances to the patient’s quality of life.

Oral Injuries and Infections

Dentures are designed to sit securely on the gums, but if they aren’t fitting properly, they can rub up against and injure other soft tissues in the mouth. This friction can result in sores, swelling, blisters, or small cuts that can become infected. One infection that can arise from dentures’ poor fit is angular cheilitis, which happens when saliva pools in the corners of the mouth due to an uneven bite. This can lead to an overgrowth of yeast and a bacterial infection, resulting in irritated patches or streaks at the corners of the mouth, and these can be itchy or painful.

A Misaligned Bite

When dentures fit correctly, they should bite together seamlessly, but this can be disrupted if they do not fit properly. If the dentures begin to ride low, high, or crookedly on the gums, the strain of holding them in place can result in headaches or neckaches due to TMJ issues. Many times, people don’t realize that the fit of their dentures and their headaches are related, so the problem goes unaddressed for an unfortunately long period of time.

The good news is that your dentist is well-equipped to correct the fit of your dentures, allowing them to fit and work normally again. With proper care, your dentures can last for up to ten years.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Aguilar earned his dental doctorate from the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry and has worked in settings including the corporate world, a non-profit public health clinic, and private dental offices. He is proud to serve the community of Denton, TX with high-quality dental services in a clean and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry as well as denture services. For more information on caring for your dentures, contact his office online or dial (940) 566-5332.