5 Tell-Tale Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Dentures

Dentures are a classic tooth replacement solution that have been helping people regain complete, confident, and functional smiles for hundreds of years. Thanks to modern dental technology and high-quality materials, they’re now more durable and longer lasting than ever before! Unfortunately, they’re not a permanent solution to tooth loss. It’s important that you replace your dentures once they start to lose their fit in order to keep your mouth healthy. Here are five tell-tale signs that it’s time to replace your dentures in Daytona Beach.

1.) Your Dentures Look a Little Dirty

If your new pearly whites develop a yellow or brown tint, it’s time to have them replaced. Dentures are porous, which means their surface is covered in microscopic holes. If plaque and bacteria accumulate in these tiny spaces, they’ll increase your risk of oral infections can make your dentures look dirty.

2.) Your Dentures Are Visibly Damaged

If you notice that your denture has a small chip or crack, they need to be replaced right away. Wearing damaged dentures can make the problem worse and more difficult to repair. Not to mention they could potentially injure your gums, tongue, and other soft tissues! Call your dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. They’ll tell you whether you should continue to wear them or not in the meantime.

3.) Chewing or Speaking Becomes Difficult

While you’ll likely need a little bit of time to get used to eating and speaking with your dentures when you first start wearing them, these problems shouldn’t reappear later. Difficulty eating and “slushed” speech are typically warning signs that your dentures don’t fit properly. If your dentures are becoming more of a hassle than a help in your everyday life, it’s time to replace them.

4.) It Feels Like Your Dentures Are Loose

Your dentures are precisely crafted to fit in your mouth as closely as possible for a secure fit. However, your mouth will naturally change shape over time as a result of tooth loss. This gradually disrupts the close fit your dentures have with your gum ridge and/or remaining healthy teeth, making them feel loose. Eventually, they may begin to slip or pop out of place while you talk, laugh, smile, or eat.

5.) You Experience Jaw Soreness or Gum Irritation

 Custom-made dentures that are still in good shape and fit properly shouldn’t cause you any discomfort at all. However, if they lose their fit and rest unevenly in your mouth, they may place extra pressure on your jaw or friction on your gums. If your jaws begin to ache, or if your gums develop irritation or sores, call your dentist right away to have your dentures replaced and restore your healthy, comfortable smile.

Dentures are a great way to replace your missing teeth, but it’s important that you replace them when they no longer fit. If you’re tired of replacing your dentures, talk to your dentist about implant dentures for a more permanent way to rebuild your smile.

About the Author

Dr. David Lloyd, DDS of Indigo Dental of Daytona Beach is proud to provide high-quality and compassionate dental care to the smiles of Daytona Beach and the surrounding communities. As an active member of numerous organizations like the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry, he regularly completes hours of continuing education on a variety of advanced topics. If you suffer from tooth loss, he offers numerous of solutions from dentures to dental implants to help you regain your smile. To learn more, he can be contacted via his website or at (386) 253-3629.