Teeth, regardless of their strength, can deteriorate or become injured over time. There are numerous reasons why people might lose their teeth, but dentures offer a practical solution for replacing them. They are also a relatively affordable option.
Despite the long history and advancements in denture design to enhance their natural appearance and comfort, new dentures can still present certain challenges. Proper care and maintenance are essential to minimize these potential issues and ensure the best experience with your new dentures.
Let's find out what the biggest problem is with dentures and take a look at solutions.
What is the Biggest Problem with Dentures?
While dentures are beneficial, they do have their drawbacks. Problems can arise if they are not adequately maintained or adjusted.
When considering what is the biggest problem with dentures, below are the few that denture users commonly face.
Difficulty Speaking
Many people are curious about why they have difficulty speaking normally with dentures. This is a common issue that can be managed by helping the muscles in your mouth and tongue adapt to the new sensations.
Solution
There is no quick fix; it requires time for you to adjust to the unfamiliar feeling in your mouth.
With consistent practice, you'll gradually regain your normal speaking ability. Try speaking regularly, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. This discomfort will diminish as your mouth and tongue muscles become accustomed to the dentures.
Difficulty Eating
Eating difficulties constitute the biggest problem with dentures.
Many people struggle to eat normally with dentures for two main reasons. First, their mouth needs time to get used to the new teeth. Second, the healing process after an extraction, especially if they receive immediate dentures, can make chewing even more challenging.
Solution
Be patient and give your mouth time to adjust to your new dentures. Certain foods might cause more discomfort, so it's wise to avoid them initially. You may also experience occasional slipping of the dentures while eating, which can be both frustrating and embarrassing. However, with time, your mouth and gums will adapt, allowing you to eat comfortably again.
To minimize pain and difficulty, avoid sticky and hard foods during the initial weeks after getting your dentures. Opt for soft foods instead, as they will help your gums heal more quickly and make eating more comfortable.
Soreness & Discomfort
Experiencing discomfort is normal, especially in the initial stages of wearing dentures. This is part of the adjustment period as your mouth adapts to the new teeth, and it can last from a few hours to several days. The friction between the dentures and your gums often causes irritation and sometimes pain.
Solution
To alleviate the soreness, rinsing your mouth with salt water is typically effective. You can also gently massage your gums to ease the pain. Pain medication may also be necessary. However, if the discomfort persists or worsens, it's important to consult your dentist to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Too Much Saliva
When something new is introduced to the body, it often triggers a natural response. In the case of new dentures, your saliva glands think it is a food item or a foreign object and end up increasing their activity, leading to higher saliva production. This is considered to be among the biggest problems with dentures.
Solution
This excess saliva is normal and temporary, and it will decrease as your mouth adjusts to the dentures. In the meantime, you just have to be prepared to swallow it more frequently.
Bad Fitting
Even with precise measurements and customization, dentures can sometimes fit poorly. This issue goes beyond causing pain and discomfort; it can also impact your overall health.
If dentures that once fit well start causing pain, it could be due to natural changes in your mouth and jaw. This issue is more common in individuals with significant tooth loss, as the mouth structure may be severely compromised.
Seniors, in particular, are more likely to experience denture fit issues due to various health conditions, including:
- Elevated blood sugar, which affects oral health.
- Osteoporosis, which accelerates the deterioration of the lower jaw bone, leading to significant shrinkage.
- Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which can cause gum swelling, mucositis, and dry mouth.
- Medications that reduce normal saliva production.
Solution
The only way to address ill-fitting dentures is to have your dentist adjust them, allowing you to live without persistent discomfort and pain. Make sure that you see your dentist regularly for relining and adjustments that will allow you to address badly fitted dentures.
How Can Dental Professionals Help Solve the Biggest Problems with Dentures?
Whether you're dealing with ill-fitting dentures or other related issues, your dentist can help prevent future discomfort. Often, minor adjustments are all that's needed, which is why regular dental visits are essential.
However, for more significant problems, dentists typically use one of the following techniques:
Denture Relining
This involves adding a new layer of acrylic to the denture base to better conform to the shape of the gums. This is a common solution for dentures that slip or cause discomfort while speaking or eating. If the base is causing gum irritation, a flexible acrylic layer may be used instead of the standard hard acrylic.
Denture Recasting
If relining doesn't resolve the issue, recasting may be a better option. This is especially useful for patients whose mouths have changed significantly due to extensive tooth loss. Recasting involves creating a new base while retaining the existing artificial teeth, saving both time and cost compared to making a completely new set.
Implant & Denture Combo
Dental implants can be used to anchor dentures, providing a more stable foundation. This technique helps prevent movement and enhances stability during speaking and eating. Mini dental implants, which are smaller than traditional implants, are often preferred for their minimally invasive insertion into the bone.
Conclusion
When you start wearing dentures or get new ones, there's typically an adjustment period that all wearers need to go through and deal with some of the biggest problems with dentures.
This period usually lasts from a few days to about a week. If, after this time, you still feel that something is off with your dentures, it's best to consult your denture professional as soon as possible. Ideally, well-fitting dentures should feel like a natural extension of your body and become almost imperceptible once you're accustomed to them.
Schedule a consultation with Franklin Dental Centre and learn more about how you can adjust to your dentures seamlessly.
