Compared to other dilemmas, “dentures that don’t fit well” likely doesn’t seem urgent to you. Most people would think this issue should take a backseat to rent, accidents, and so on. However, you’d be wrong to dismiss the problem; ill-fitting dentures can be life-threatening! Failing to fix them could lead to deadly consequences, which you should always make it a priority to avoid. As for the details on these points, read over this helpful primer from your Harker Heights dentist.
Common Signs of Ill-Fitting Dentures
If you didn’t already know, dentures slowly become ill-fitting as your mouth’s shape changes. You can tell when your own pair doesn’t fit well if the following signs appear:
- Chewing Challenges – Dentures that fit well let you chew food easily. If your own prosthetics can’t do so, they’ve probably become ill-fitting.
- Changes in Speech – When you speak, your dentures shouldn’t move much at all. Only the ill-fitting ones will flit about and make speaking trickier.
- Pressure Sores –Dentures that fit properly don’t put pressure on your gums. Therefore, you likely have ill-fitting ones if they’ve caused painful and irritating gum sores.
- Oral Discomfort – Once you’ve adjusted to them, dentures shouldn’t cause pain. Discomfort and soreness from them indicate a poor fit.
Of course, only a dentist will truly know if your dentures have become ill-fitting. Visit a local one when you want final confirmation.
Poor Fit = Higher Cancer Risk
Ill-fitting dentures themselves can’t kill you, at least not directly. It’s the oral cancer that such prosthetics can trigger that’s truly deadly.
You see, ill-fitting dentures often trap harmful debris. Such material can range from leftover food to tobacco, alcohol, and similar substances. Having such materials in your mouth usually leads to oral inflammation and continued cell damage – factors that increase your risk of oral cancer. To that extent, using dentures with a bad fit can potentially kill you.
Responding to Ill-Fitting Dentures
Given the points above, you should deal with ill-fitting dentures quickly once you notice them. The best way to do so is to see your dentist for a refit or replacement.
Don’t forget that dentists are the top denture experts. Compared to the average person, they have a great deal of knowledge, skills, and resources related to restorations. A dentist is thus incredibly well-equipped to adjust your ill-fitting dentures for you. Indeed, they can either reline the device, make more thorough adjustments to it, or even replace it entirely.
Ill-fitting dentures can be life-threatening, so please don’t dismiss them. Have your local dentist fix them as soon as possible!
About the Practice
Market Heights Family Dental is based in Harker Heights, TX. Led by Drs. Tochtmerman and Pundt, our practice considers your smile’s health its top priority. We thus offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative oral treatments, all while maintaining a philosophy of “lifetime care.” Whatever issues your smile may have, rest assured that our team will address them! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (254)-699-3565.