Common Problems with Dentures and How to Solve Them

Dentures are a common solution for tooth loss, but they don't always fit or feel perfectly right away. Many denture wearers face issues like discomfort, looseness, or pain when eating. However, with some simple adjustments, dentures can provide years of stable function and an attractive natural-looking smile. As a dental auction site, Dr. BestPrice wants patients to feel confident wearing their dentures. This article will discuss common denture problems and recommended solutions.

One of the most frequently reported problems is dentures that are too loose. New dentures may feel unstable at first as gums shrink and heal from extractions. Slight loosening over time is also normal. However, loose-fitting dentures can cause eating difficulties, speech issues, and a perpetual slippage that detracts from confidence and comfort.

The most important step is often relines or relines. A reline involves adding soft resilient liner material to the denture foundation, refitting it precisely to the gums. This can account for minor tissue changes that cause slippage. Relines should be done every 1-2 years as tissue continues remodeling. For severe loosening, new dentures may be necessary. Patients can also try adhesive or fixatives in the short term, available over the counter or through their dentist.

Painful rubbing and irritation of gums is very common initially while tissues adjust to the dentures' coverage and pressure points. Signs include swollen, red areas at pressure points or a general sore feeling. These issues usually subside within a few weeks once gums toughen. In the interim, wearing dentures for only a few hours at a time, with relief breaks, allows healing. Over-the-counter numbing gels can provide temporary pain relief too.
For lingering soreness, the denture may need adjustment. Pressure spots and rough acrylic surfaces create irritation and can be identified and smoothly polished away by a dentist. Soft lining material can also redistribute pressure more evenly. ensuring a proper, snug fit with balanced and equal pressure across the denture base is vital to avoiding gum pain over the long run.

Pronouncing certain sounds clearly can take practice after tooth loss or the insertion of full dentures. Reasons include getting used to altered jaw positions, tongue placement changes, and reduced sensory feedback without teeth. Some slurring, mispronunciations, or adjust speech patterns are common early on.

Gradually increasing wear time and practicing tricky sounds and words can help retrain muscle memory and facial coordination over weeks. Seeing a speech therapist may speed up results for more severe cases. Taking out dentures to speak also circumvents issues until adaptation occurs.

Videos and tutorials can demonstrate proper positioning for clear pronunciation too. With time and effort, talking becomes second nature again. 

Over the years, as natural gum tissues and bone continued deteriorating in areas without tooth root support, dentures often gradually sink lower or shift position in the mouth. This causes problems with biting, chewing, and denture retention that compromise oral function. Many partial denture wearers experience issues like slippage that require seeing a dentist.

In extreme cases where poor fitting dentures or lack of proper denture care leads to worsening gum disease, a new set of teeth may be needed. Regular dental checkups that monitor bone and gum tissue levels are highly advised, as early intervention through denture rebasing or dental implants can forestall more severe problems down the line.

Ideally, denture wearers should schedule an appointment with their denture professional as soon as they notice issues like looseness, slippage or trouble chewing/speaking with the dentures. A dentist can adjust the dentures if needed to fit the mouth properly again. Rebasing replicates the gums at their current level, refitting loose or improperly fitting dentures snugly once more. Dental implants provide secure anchors to resist sinking and movement of dentures over the long term.

Proper cleaning and use of denture adhesive can help keep dentures fitting correctly in the mouth. It takes time to get fully used to new dentures, so eating slowly, brushing and cleaning dentures daily, and using fixatives are important as gum tissues adjust post-extraction. With follow up appointments, most common denture problems can be addressed before they worsen.

One very common problem many people face when they first get their new set of dentures is trouble chewing, swallowing and eating in general. When you lose your natural teeth and get dentures, it does take some getting used to this new foreign object in your mouth. Learning to chew, swallow, and get used to wearing dentures requires time and adjustment from both the wearer as well as their facial muscles, glands and saliva production.
With a new set of dentures, small food particles often get trapped in little spaces between the dentures and gums, causing messy situations. Biting into foods fully with new dentures can also feel different at first as people train their mouths and tongues again. If common denture problems like trapping of food or looseness are not addressed, it can dampen people's appetites or cause self-consciousness about eating around others.
To help with this adjustment period, denture wearers can start with soft, moist foods that are easier to chew and swallow. Seeing the dentist right away can help ensure dentures fit properly and any potential problems like gaps that collect debris are adjusted. Over several weeks of consistent wear, dental muscles will strengthen for improved chewing. Denture adhesive may provide temporary relief from common problems like slipping. With time and patience wearing them consistently, as well as routine dental checkups, people's oral health and ability to enjoy meals can greatly improve.

With a few adjustments from a dentist, most common denture issues can be resolved. Regular checkups that identify early problems help maintain proper fit and tissue health too. Adopting new hygiene habits, like cleaning and soaking dentures daily, further prevents issues. With guidance from dental professionals and some adjustment time, full dentures absolutely can provide years of attractive satisfactory function for tooth loss patients and restore confident smiling.

One of the most important things to remember when getting new dentures is that it may take time to get used to them properly, especially in terms of activities like chewing, speaking and keeping the dentures in place comfortably. When you first get your dentures, be sure to schedule a follow up appointment with your dentist within a few weeks to ensure they fit properly and aren't causing any issues. Some common problems like slippage or looseness are normal at first as the gums adjust, but your dentist can adjust them if needed. Using a denture adhesive can help hold them securely in place on both sides of your mouth until the gums and saliva glands get re-acclimated. It's essential to brush and clean your dentures daily with a denture cleaner or brush to keep them fitting properly. Dentures can sometimes cause temporary trouble speaking or chewing slowly as you get comfortable, but following proper care instructions and seeing your dentist for adjustments if issues like sore spots arise will help you adapt. With time and patience during the transition, your new dentures should continue to feel natural and function properly.

Here, you can find a list of relevant ADA codes, related to dentures.

D5110 - Complete denture - maxillary
D5120 - Complete denture - mandibular
D5130 - Immediate denture - maxillary
D5140 - Immediate denture - mandibular

D5410 - Adjust complete denture - maxillary
D5411 - Adjust complete denture - mandibular

D5511 - Repair broken complete denture base, mandibular
D5512 - Repair broken complete denture base, maxillary

D5611 - Repair resin partial denture base, mandibular
D5612 - Repair resin partial denture base, maxillary

D5730 - Reline complete maxillary denture (chairside)
D5731 - Reline complete mandibular denture (chairside)
D5750 - Reline complete maxillary denture (laboratory)
D5751 - Reline complete mandibular denture (laboratory)

D5850 - Tissue conditioning, maxillary
D5851 - Tissue conditioning, mandibular

In conclusion, with proper care, adjustments as needed, and patience during the adaptation period, dentures have the potential to successfully replace any missing teeth and restore oral function. However, it's important to keep in mind that it may take time to get fully used to a new pair of dentures, especially in terms of chewing, speaking and solving common issues like slippage or food feeling stuck. Speaking to your dentist right away can help ensure your dentures fit properly and address any problems before they worsen. With follow-up cleanings and adjustments over time, most top denture problems may be resolved. Maintaining good oral hygiene with a denture cleaner, using adhesive to keep dentures securely in place on the sides of your mouth, and slow, methodical chewing are some keys to a successful transition during the getting used to your new dentures process. With persistence, consistency in cleanings, check-ups and top denture care, denture wearers can avoid issues down the line and keep their dentures looking great and functioning properly for many years to come.