Why Do My Dentures Keep Slipping?
Dentures have been used to replace missing teeth for thousands of years. But modern-day dentures are far more advanced than they were just fifty or a hundred years ago. If properly fitted, dentures can look and feel just like real teeth. However, when dentures are improperly fitted with your mouth and natural teeth, they may become uncomfortable, embarrassing, or they might even harm you.
What do loose dentures actually do to your mouth?
As dentures loosen, they cause a variety of negative health effects, some of which progress very quickly while others take time to settle in.
Discomfort
Dentures are supposed to feel very comfortable and natural. If they're moving around in your mouth, or cause difficulty as you speak and eat, they could be misaligned.
Swollen gums and infection
Ill-fitting dentures can irritate the gum tissue, causing swelling, irritation, blisters, and a risk of infection.
Improper bite
The shape of your jaw can be affected by ill-fitting dentures, causing an improper bite. This may not only hurt your confidence, but may also cause saliva to collect around the sides of your mouth. This can sometimes lead to oral infection.
Pain
As dentures loosen, they may exert pressure unnaturally on the facial muscles, bones, and gums. This can lead to headaches and pain in the ears. Patients with certain disorders such as temporomandibular joint disorder might experience even more pain as the jawbone is misaligned.
Premature aging
Improperly fitted dentures can actually cause the face, cheeks, and lips to sag or sink, resulting in a sort of facial collapse that will make you look years older than you actually are.
Can I fix or adjust them myself?
You should never attempt to repair or readjust your dentures on your own. Your dentist will have specialized tools for that purpose. We'll help you maintain your dentures and regularly adjust them whenever you need us to.
Are there dentures that don't need adhesive?
Yes. Implant-supported dentures attach to implants placed in the jawbone rather than resting on the gums, which is what stops the movement. Since implant-supported teeth are securely attached to the implants, there is no need for messy denture adhesives, and no more flapping, floating or clacking dentures. Sneezing, coughing, talking, eating and laughing can be done with confidence.
