Learn Why Your Dentures Need to Fit Properly

Dentures are one of the staples in the tool bag of a dentist treating tooth loss. Tooth loss, unfortunately, is one of those almost inevitable conditions that many of us face especially in the later years of life. Having the ability to replace teeth with dental implants or dentures gives us the ability to improve our patient’s quality of life since a lack of teeth directly impacts eating and even speaking.  There are two types of dentures that we use. The first is known as partial dentures and are used to replace some teeth while using the others as a support system. The second is known as complete dentures and are used when we need to replace the entire set of teeth.

Most denture-related issues come from a denture that does not fit properly. Too loose or too tight, a denture can cause irritation, problems with chewing, and a plethora of other unnecessary issues. It is far better that we make sure you leave the office with a denture that fits perfectly and that you have the right tools to maintain it. Maintenance of a denture includes understanding how to properly care for it, clean it, remove and replace it, and how to store it when it is not in your mouth. Doing these can avoid other complications, including the two listed below:

Stomatitis: Stomatitis is a general term, in dentistry, used to describe any inflammation and irritation of the mouth. Most commonly known occurrences of stomatitis are canker sores and cold sores, both of which have nothing to do with dentures, but are symptoms of other conditions. Dentures can also cause stomatitis. Occurring virtually anywhere, with the most common areas being on the tongue, the lips, the gums, and the palate, stomatitis can cause extreme discomfort and pain. An ill-fitting set of dentures, improper removal and replacement of removable dentures, and not cleaning the dentures properly, can all result in stomatitis. While this is not a serious condition, if it persists you should visit your dentist to make sure that your dentures are the proper fit and thereby avoid any other conditions like an infection.

Angular cheilitis: This is a slightly more serious condition, if left untreated and often goes hand in hand with stomatitis. Often misrepresented as chapped lips, or even a cold sore, angular cheilitis can be distinguished by the cracking of the corners of the mouth. In mild cases, this will involve some pain opening the mouth and a flaky buildup of skin in the area. In more severe cases the patient will have blisters or even an open wound in the corners of the mouth, will have difficulty opening their mouth to eat or speak, and the cracks will refuse to heal. If you have a moderate to severe case of angular cheilitis, it is advisable to seek the care of a dentist.  While this may be as a result of excessive drool, caused by your dentures, it could also be a symptom of something more serious like a staph infection.

You can avoid these common complications by letting us know if your dentures feel loose so that we can make adjustments until they fit perfectly.

 

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