You’ve been wearing your dentures for several years. Their durability, natural appearance, and ability to stay in place while talking and eating make them a worthwhile investment. But for a while now, you’ve noticed that they do not fit as they once did. They feel uncomfortable and even painful at times. As the weeks and months pass, you may begin to wonder if your ill-fitting dentures may pose a threat to your overall health and well-being. Find out how serious this problem can be and what you can do to fix it.
Why Do Dentures Not Fit Correctly Over Time?
This natural occurrence happens to all denture wearers. Bone atrophy is the result of a lack of stimulation that is often provided by tooth roots. When teeth fall out, though, there is no stimulus to keep the bone dense or the face from collapsing.
You’ll often see illustrations of denture wearers with lips that draw inward or cheeks that sag. This is the result of bone shrinkage and deterioration.
When this happens, dentures will no longer fit properly. As a result, sores can form on the soft tissues and cause discomfort. But unfortunately, that is not the only potential problem that can occur.
What Health Problems Can Arise Because of Ill-Fitting Dentures?
One of the most serious and devastating problems that can arise should your dentures no longer fit properly is the potential for oral cancer.
A new meta-analysis allowed researchers from Sydney to further inspect the link between denture use and fit and oral cancer. It was found that those whose dentures no longer fit properly had a 290% chance of developing oral cancer.
The reason for this increase could be that gum inflammation is a common occurrence when dentures do not fit. They begin to rub and irritate the soft oral tissues, causing them to swell. If bacteria begin to attack the gums, it can lead to periodontal disease (gum disease). If left untreated, it can result in bone and tooth loss as well as problems that exist throughout the body if the infection enters the bloodstream (i.e., diabetes, heart attack, stroke, etc.).
Those who suffer from gum disease are more likely to develop oral cancer (14-20%), and if you add smoking or excessive alcohol consumption as some of your daily habits, that risk is likely to be even higher.
Making sure that your dentures fit properly is essential if you want to keep your oral and overall health in the best possible shape. This means reaching out to your dentist for help. Whether you need a reline, adjustment, or replacement, you can trust that having your dentures fixed so that they fit properly is the best decision you can make.
About Grand Dental – Naperville
At Grand Dental – Naperville, we are pleased to have a board-certified periodontist on staff. Capable of treating all kinds of gum disease, we can ensure that patients who have inflamed or bleeding gums receive the highest quality care available. Whether caused by poor oral hygiene or ill-fitting dentures, we have the technology and services necessary to improve gum health and minimize the potential for more serious and fatal issues. Visit our website or call us at (630) 576-9970 to learn how we can help.