Can I Eat Before My Dentist Appointment?
Most of us brush our teeth before visiting the dentist, but what else should (or shouldn't) we do before an appointment? What about eating? Should you or shouldn't you? This...
Dentures a disappointment? If you’re not comfortable with your tooth replacements, don’t put up with sub-par dentures. There are always options for improving their fit and function – and we want to help you find that happy place when your dentures feel like the real thing.
The first step is identifying exactly where your dentures are going wrong. Check out some of the usual concerns patients face below, and see if anything sounds familiar. When you’re ready to learn more about current denture technologies, just get in touch to take the next step.
Common Problems with Dentures
Dentures Don’t Fit Properly
Determining that denture fit isn’t quite right is one thing – but where do you go from there? The way an upper or lower dentures sits in your mouth depends on a slew of factors. And unfortunately, the quality of the fit will likely worsen over time. As we age, our jaw bones and our gums change. This will lead to dentures feeling like they’ve lost their grip. This is one reason why adding dental implants is a productive choice – implants help preserve your jaw so that your bone does not resorb.
If your dentures aren’t working properly, get in touch. They may need to be relined, or potentially replaced, depending on their age. It’s common for most patients to replace their dentures every 4-8 years. If it’s been some time since you received your dentures, there may also be new options that are more effective – restoration technology is always evolving.
Daily Activities are Difficult
- Trouble speaking – After you first get dentures, there will be an adjustment period. There are a few things you can do to speed it along and get more comfortable ASAP. Practice speaking with your dentures in by reading a book aloud or trying some speech exercises. If your dentures have suddenly become more difficult to speak with, there are likely fit issues and you should visit your dentist for help. If your dentures become loose while you’re speaking to someone, carefully bite down and swallow to put them back in place.
- Trouble eating – As with speaking, you need to get accustomed to eating with your restorations. Try to chew with your back teeth so that suction doesn’t pull your denture off your palate. Use both sides of your mouth at the same time when chewing. Also try to focus on soft foods during your adjustment period. Sticky foods will make the process harder to complete.
Dentures Cause Sore Spots in Your Mouth
If your mouth has sores, your dentures aren’t fitting quite right. Your dentist will be able to tweak the denture so that there aren’t painful areas and it functions the way it should. If you have abrasions inside your mouth, cover the offending area of the denture with wax and schedule an appointment for help.
Dentures Are Growing Loose
Like we mentioned above, your denture’s fit will change over time. As your gums and bones respond to the loss of your natural teeth and the presence of the denture, they adapt. Your dentist will need to reline your dentures to make sure they still have a good grip on your palate or lower mouth. Don’t try to adjust your dentures yourself – you could cause damage or end up making the restoration even more uncomfortable.
Using a denture adhesive will also help keep dentures where they belong and add security. That said, if the denture is old or damaged, no amount of adhesive is going to make much of a difference. Follow the instructions on the packaging and let us know if you have any questions.
Dentures Don’t Look Natural
This is a significant issue, but one that many patients try to overlook. Your dentures should make you feel confident and comfortable with yourself and your appearance. If you feel like your new teeth look fake, you’ll be nervous showing them or speaking normally, and they’ll end up appearing to be even less natural. There are a few different options for finding dentures that really fit (in terms of physicality and appearance).
- AvaDent – We offer digital dentures that improve on the fit and function of the standard denture, and help make the entire process more patient-oriented. Get in touch with any questions to learn more about their unique benefits!
- Dental implants – Implants integrate with your natural jaw bone to become a part of your facial structure. Restorations can then be connected via an abutment, a connector for implants and crowns, bridges, or dentures. By pairing implants with dentures, you create a level of stability that you just can’t achieve with dentures alone. Contact us to learn more about whether you might be a candidate for dental implants.
If you’re experiencing any kind of denture difficulty, don’t wait – get help today. You owe it to yourself to make your new teeth as effective and efficient as possible.
