Tell-Tale Signs Your Dentures Need to be Replaced

Dentures are one of the most common solutions for missing teeth. Since it’s estimated that 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and more than 36 million are missing all their natural teeth, it’s no wonder they’re so popular! Dentures are an affordable, noninvasive tooth replacement option that can dramatically improve the quality of someone’s life. When they fit properly, they can rebuild your beautiful smile and completely restore its function! However, both you and your dentures change over time, and your dentures will eventually lose their perfect fit. If you don’t replace them, your ill-fitting dentures can cause inflammation, infections, and inhibit your everyday life. Don’t suffer from dentures that don’t fit! Here are the tell-tale signs that it’s time to replace your dentures in Edison.

Why Do Dentures Need to be Replaced?

Dentures that are taken care of properly generally need to be replaced after 10 years. Just like your natural teeth, your dentures will wear down with daily use, becoming weaker, more likely to break, and discolored. It’s important that you replace your dentures before they break, which could damage the soft tissues of your mouth.

Your jawbone naturally changes shape overtime, influencing how your dentures fit along your gumline and how your bite lines up. If your dentures no longer fit correctly because of these changes, it might become difficult to clearly pronounce words or chew properly. If they’re not replaced, the uneven pressure on your gums can cause irritation and sores, which can lead to infections.

When to Replace Your Dentures

Sometimes, denture issues can be fixed with a simple repair or adjustment from your dentist. However, the following symptoms are tell-tale signs that your dentures need to be replaced entirely:

• Your dentures are discolored. This could mean that plaque and tarter have begun to build up, and the bacteria that they contain can cause infections.
• There are visible chips and cracks. If your dentures are damaged, they should always be replaced. Damaged dentures can break while in use or hurt your mouth.
• They feel loose or keep you from eating or speaking normally. This is often a sign that they simply don’t fit well anymore and are losing their grip.
• You feel soreness, discomfort, or pain in your teeth or jaw. These are indications that your dentures are putting too much pressure on your gums or are causing issues with your jawbone.

Even if you don’t have any natural teeth left, you still need to visit your dentist regularly! When you attend regular checkups and cleanings, your dentist can clear out any accumulating bacteria, identify oral health issues, and keep a lookout for changes in your facial structure. Keeping your dentures clean and protected with the help of your dentist in Edison can extend their lifetime and give you years of happy, healthy smiling!

About the Author

Dr. Steven Resnick and Dr. David Rosenfeld provide preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as dental implant surgery and periodontal therapy to the Edison, NJ area. They are passionate about rebuilding smiles and replacing teeth with a variety of options, including dentures. If you have questions about replacing your dentures or are interested in other tooth replacement options, they can be contacted at their website or at (908) 668-7838.