Your dentures are designed to restore confidence in your smile, support proper chewing, and help you maintain overall oral health. However, dentures aren’t meant to last forever. Over time, they can experience wear and tear, impacting their function and comfort. At Implant & Perio Center of Kansas in Wichita, KS, our periodontist Dr. Marq J. Sams and our experienced team understand how important it is for your dentures to fit properly and feel comfortable.
Today, we’ll explore three clear signs that indicate it might be time to replace your dentures.
1. Your Dentures No Longer Fit Correctly
Dentures rely heavily on a precise fit to function correctly. If you notice your dentures slipping or shifting frequently, especially when speaking or eating, this is a strong sign it’s time to see your dental professional. Ill-fitting dentures can cause discomfort and irritation to your gums, potentially leading to sores or infections. Additionally, poorly fitting dentures can negatively impact your ability to eat nutritious foods, affecting your overall health.
Changes in fit usually occur because your gums and jawbone naturally change shape over time. Even minor shifts can make a previously perfect set of dentures uncomfortable or ineffective. If you’re noticing these fit issues, we recommend scheduling an appointment at our practice so we can assess your current dentures and discuss suitable replacement options.
Furthermore, wearing dentures that no longer fit properly can also accelerate bone loss in your jaw. This happens because dentures rely on consistent contact with the gums and jawbone to maintain the shape of your facial structures. If dentures are loose, your jawbone can experience increased deterioration, potentially altering your facial appearance and leading to additional oral health issues. Replacing your dentures promptly helps maintain proper jawbone health, ensuring your overall facial structure remains stable and healthy.
2. Noticeable Wear and Tear or Damage
Even the most durable dentures can become worn or damaged with daily use. Visible cracks, chips, or broken teeth in your dentures aren’t just aesthetic concerns—they can also lead to oral health problems. Damaged dentures may harbor bacteria, increasing your risk of gum irritation or infections. Additionally, dentures with significant wear might not align properly, leading to discomfort and affecting how you speak and chew.
Wear and tear also impact the efficiency of your dentures, making everyday tasks like eating and speaking unnecessarily difficult. This inefficiency can lead to uneven biting patterns, further stressing your gums and potentially causing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Chronic discomfort or pain from TMJ disorders can significantly diminish your quality of life, making prompt action even more crucial.
If you observe noticeable damage or severe staining that cleaning no longer resolves, it’s essential to consult our team. At Implant & Perio Center of Kansas, Dr. Sams and our dedicated team will carefully inspect your dentures and provide expert advice on whether repair or replacement is your best option. Regular check-ups will help detect early signs of deterioration before they become significant issues, ensuring your dentures consistently perform their intended functions.
3. Persistent Gum Irritation or Oral Health Issues
Consistent gum soreness, irritation, inflammation, or frequent oral infections indicate your dentures may need replacement. While some temporary soreness is normal when first adjusting to new dentures, persistent discomfort lasting weeks or months suggests a deeper issue. Prolonged irritation can lead to more significant health concerns, including infections or gum disease.
Additionally, ill-fitting dentures can cause gum inflammation, potentially progressing to periodontitis or more severe forms of gum disease if left untreated. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial when you wear dentures, and regular replacement of dentures that cause irritation is part of that responsibility. Regular evaluations by our professional team will help you avoid such complications, ensuring your oral health remains optimal.
Maintaining proper oral health is crucial, and your dentures should support rather than hinder this goal. If you’ve experienced ongoing discomfort or notice swelling, redness, or inflammation of your gums, contact one of our Wichita offices promptly. Dr. Sams will conduct a thorough evaluation, ensuring your gums and dentures are healthy and functioning correctly.
Additional Factors to Consider
Beyond the immediate signs mentioned above, other factors may indicate it’s time to replace your dentures. For example, changes in your facial structure or significant weight loss can influence how your dentures fit. Such physiological changes can cause previously comfortable dentures to become problematic, leading to slipping or increased discomfort.
You should also consider the age of your dentures. Typically, dentures are designed to last between five and seven years, depending on usage and care. If your dentures exceed this age range, it’s wise to have them professionally evaluated, even if they still seem to function adequately. The materials used to create dentures naturally degrade over time, potentially impacting their structural integrity and function.
The Importance of Regular Check-Ups
Even if you aren’t experiencing noticeable signs of wear or discomfort, regular dental check-ups remain vital. Dr. Sams recommends routine visits so our team can assess your dentures, oral health, and overall comfort. This proactive approach can help identify potential issues early, providing you with comfortable, effective dentures and preserving your smile for years to come.
Regular check-ups also provide an opportunity to discuss advancements in dental technology and explore whether newer options, such as implant-supported dentures, might better meet your current needs. Our team is committed to offering advanced dental solutions tailored to your unique situation, enhancing your quality of life and overall oral health.
At Implant & Perio Center of Kansas, we’re dedicated to helping our patients enjoy better oral health and confidence through personalized care and advanced dental solutions.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs or simply want a professional evaluation of your current dentures, we invite you to schedule an appointment with us today. Our friendly team in Wichita, KS, led by Dr. Marq J. Sams, is here to ensure you continue to smile confidently and comfortably.