How To Tell If You Need New Dentures

Dentures are an important part of daily living and general well-being for those who need them. Knowing how to use them is also as important as knowing when to replace them because as we all know, dentures aren’t a permanent thing. Here are a few signs that you need to replace those chompers:

• YOU HAVEN’T VISITED A DENTURIST IN SIX MONTHS

Whether you’re putting it off or it seems like overkill, visiting your denturist is crucial. Two visits a year keep gum disease and tooth decay—the main culprits in tooth damage and or decay—in check. This may mean the onset of a need for denturist and if this lack of visits continues it will lead to damaged dentures.

• YOUR GUMS ARE RED, SWOLLEN OR BLEEDING

In this case, like when normal teeth were in place, gum infections are bound to surface if dentures are not taken care of and become defective. These are typical symptoms of gum inflammation—from the lesser, early stage of gingivitis to the more serious and severe periodontal disease.

• BROKEN TEETH

If you happen to accidentally drop your dentures or step on them, you may damage a tooth. Do not try to fix back the tooth yourself, either with a household glue or an improvised repair kit. Quickly consult your denturist in the event of an accidental damage.

• DIFFICULTY CHEWING

One of the primary goals of artificial teeth is to help an individual cultivate normal eating habits. When you initially got the dentures they must have taken a serious time to adjust to. But if you notice increased difficulty chewing, later on, it may indicate a need to refit your dentures to the exact shape of your gums or a complete overhaul of the dentures.

• CHIPS OR CRACKS

Not every accident claims an entire tooth-you may observe chips, pitting, or cracks instead. These probably won’t threaten the long-term health of the dentures, but they do create sharp, uneven surfaces that irritate or cut oral soft tissues. Have your denturist fill in these defects so they don’t become bigger over time.

• FACIAL SHAPE CHANGES

Our teeth play a large role in keeping our faces full and in shape. Dentures perform this task just as effectively as natural teeth. So if you notice changes to your cheeks’ or jawline’s appearance, your dentures likely need adjustment or subsequent replacement.