Are Your Dentures Causing You Discomfort? Here’s How To Fix It

Many people rely on their dentures in Bridgeville to complete basic, everyday tasks like chewing and speaking. Sometimes this can be difficult if the restorations are ill-fitting or it’s time to get them replaced. Being able to tell when your dentures need to be repaired or restored back to their original health can help you avoid developing and uncomfortable symptoms like thrush. Read on to learn how to treat your denture problem.

Symptoms of Ill-Fitting Dentures

Even if you have replacement teeth, oral health should be your top priority. If you’re a long-time wearer of these restorations, you may notice that your facial structure is beginning to change, appearing saggy and droopy and causing your dentures to slip and slide in your mouth. This can cause a variety of issues to emerge, such as:

• Gum and mouth irritation.
• Oral sores.
• Bacterial and yeast infections.
• Issues speaking and eating.
• Slipping and shifting dentures.

If you’re experiencing any of these, they’re most likely a sign of ill-fitting restorations, meaning you’ll want to call your dentist and schedule an appointment to see if they need to be adjusted or replaced.

Easing Your Discomfort Until You Visit Your Dentist

Whether your dentures are new or years old, you may experience some of these symptoms. If you’re looking for ways to ease your discomfort until you’re able to visit your dentist, here are some:

• Speak Slowly- If your dentures are newer, it could be hard to speak because your cheek muscles haven’t fully developed to support your restorations yet. In this case, try speaking slowly and building up your stamina, gently biting down and swallowing to put them back in place if you open your mouth.
• Eat Softer Foods- To help ease your discomfort before meeting with your dentist, try sticking to softer foods that won’t irritate your gums even more. Also, taking smaller bites can help too.
• Use Denture Adhesive- Denture adhesive can help keep your dentures in place and make it more comfortable eating and speaking. However, denture adhesive can not fix restorations that are poorly fitting. Keep in mind that a small amount goes a long way.

In any case of ill-fitting replacement teeth, you’ll need to visit your dentist to avoid getting oral infections like cheilitis or stomatitis. These can cause uncomfortable inflammation, cracking at the corners of your mouth, and red bumps. If your dentist informs you that your dentures need to be replaced, and you’re not sure whether they’re still a good restorative option for you, ask them about dental implants in Bridgeville.

Caring for Dentures

In addition to making sure your dentures fit securely in your mouth, it’s important to make sure they’re clean. You can do this by soaking them in denture cleaner overnight, brushing them with special non-abrasive products, and making sure that you place them in water when you go to sleep.

Knowing when it’s time to get your dentures adjusted or replaced can help you avoid gum irritation and bacterial infections. Even though it may be tempting to try to solve the problem yourself, oftentimes, that only makes the uncomfortable side-effects worse, so it’s best to immediately contact your dentist at the first sign of poorly fitting restorations.

About the Author

Dr. Dan Rairigh has been voted by Pittsburgh Magazine as Top Dentist from 2016 to 2018. He takes pride in giving his patients the highest quality of dental care in a comfortable and positive environment. He has completed advanced training at the Midwest Implant Institute where he sharpened his skills using 3D advanced imaging technology to provide patients with comfortable and precisely fitting restorations. He has also been honored with the Duke Heller Award for his commitment to excellence in the field of dental implantology. For questions or to schedule a consultation for dental implants or find out why your dentures are causing you discomfort, visit Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh’s website or call 412-854-2310.