While dentures are not exact replacements for natural teeth, they can be instrumental in helping people who have lost their natural teeth appear and function as close to normal as possible. Occasionally, our patients have difficulties adjusting to life with dentures. Below are some of the common problems people experience with dentures, and how to easily solve them.
Difficulty Eating With Dentures
One of the best things about eating with dentures is that wearers no longer experience the constant pain of tooth infections, missing teeth, or other dental issues they used to manage before dentures. Still, there is a learning curve involved when it comes to eating with dentures. The mechanics involved in eating with dentures are slightly different than eating with natural teeth, and many of our patients have difficulty adjusting in the first few months.
Solutions
- Take smaller bites of your food than you would without dentures – With dentures, you have less room in your mouth for chewing than before. This affects your ability to eat as much.
- Chew your food slowly – It will likely take longer to eat than before, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Try using both sides of your mouth when chewing, as this helps your dentures from becoming dislodged while you chew.
- Avoid certain foods in the beginning – When you’re first learning to chew with your dentures, you should avoid eating foods that you have to bite into like pizzas and burgers. These types of foods can easily dislodge your dentures. Sticky foods might also be problematic for new denture wearers.
- Check with your dentist to make sure your dentures fit properly – Sometimes, dentures need adjustments to create a more natural fit. If you find yourself having trouble chewing and eating even after the initial adjustment period, you should always check in with your dentist.
Trouble Speaking With Dentures
Many patients often associate trouble speaking with their new dentures. It may take a few days or even weeks before wearing your dentures feels natural and you are able to speak without feeling like you’re tripping over your own tongue.
The Solution
- Practice talking while you adjust to your dentures – Practice talking in private by reading aloud or even singing with the radio. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.
Dentures Not Sitting Securely in the Mouth (Slipping)
Even patients who have had their dentures for years may experience this common problem. When you’re new to dentures, dentures fitting insecurely or slipping may be the result of eating improperly, not using a good adhesive, or a sign that you need your dentures adjusted.
The Solutions
- Experiment with adhesives – If the slippage is minor, try using different adhesives to hold your dentures in place more effectively. Your dentist may be able to recommend a specific adhesive if you are having trouble keeping your dentures in your mouth.
- Consult your dentist – If denture slipping is occurring frequently and/or despite using a good adhesive and eating properly, consult your dentist about possible adjustments.
Mouth Infections
Many patients get dentures due to tooth infections that cause severe tooth loss. This is why it can be frightening when new denture wearers experience mouth infections common with dentures. There are two common mouth infections denture wearers experience:
- Cheilitis – An infection caused by yeast overgrowth that occurs as a result of improperly fitting dentures. Symptoms include painful inflammation and cracking in the corners of your mouth.
- Stomatitis – An infection usually along the upper denture, that is also caused by yeast overgrowth. Symptoms may include tiny red bumps along the roof of your mouth or general redness beneath your upper dentures. Denture wearers who have trouble keeping their dentures clean, are diabetic, or take antibiotics or steroids may experience this infection.
The Solutions
- Always see your dentist for these infections – These infections require medication and proper denture care to treat. Talk to your dentist if you’re experiencing symptoms.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene and keep your dentures clean – While you can’t treat cheilitis or stomatitis at home, you can try to prevent them on your own. Proper oral hygiene and denture care are often the most effective prevention methods when it comes to stopping mouth infections for denture wearers. Your dentures should be soaked in a denture cleaner overnight and brushed with a denture brush in the morning before putting them in your mouth. You should never sleep with your dentures in your mouth unless instructed to do so by your dentist.
Dentures help millions of patients each year eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Don’t let common denture problems discourage you. With the right knowledge and help from your dentist, you can easily navigate any problem you may experience with your dentures. Triangle Dentistry in Raleigh, North Carolina specializes in providing denture care, and can help patients of all ages get the most from their dentures.
Triangle Dentistry, located in Raleigh, NC, provides a state-of-the-art facility that offers exceptional general dental and specialty services guided by empathy of a patient’s needs and desires. Services range from dental crowns to veneers and whitening procedures. For further information, questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact the office at (919) 747-3608.