You may have heard your dental clinician recommend regular denture check-ups, but do you know why they are so important? Without regular check-ups from a professional, you risk developing complications that can impact your health and the quality of your dentures.
In this blog, we will be exploring the importance of regular denture check-ups, how often they should be done and signs you need a check-up.
What is the importance of denture maintenance?
Your dental clinician needs to examine your dentures regularly to ensure they are fitting properly in the mouth. As we age, the structure of our mouths can change, and the dentures need to be adjusted to make sure they are fitting nice and neat in the curves of your mouth.
Secondly, dentures can become worn or damaged over time and regular maintenance of dentures can extend their life, so you can have a glowing, confident smile for longer.
If you don’t visit an experienced dental clinician regularly, you risk wearing ill-fitting dentures and developing oral health problems that can cause irritation, inflammation and even sores in the mouth!
How often should dentures be checked?
Denture wearers should get their dentures checked at least once a year. However, if you are experiencing discomfort or any issues, you should book an appointment immediately. Here are some signs to book an appointment with your dental clinician:
- Loose or uncomfortable dentures
- Difficulty eating
- Difficulty speaking
- Sore gums
- Changes in the fit or appearance of the dentures
- Cracks or chips in the dentures
- Signs of damage on the dentures
- Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
- Oral pain
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth properly
- Changes in the way the dentures feel in the mouth
What happens if dentures are not worn?
If you don’t wear your dentures, you risk your natural teeth shifting or moving out of place. Not only is this bad for your oral health, but when you do wear your dentures, they might not fit in the way they should! This can cause a range of
complications, like difficulties eating and speaking, and jaw, head or neck pain.
Also, if you don’t wear your dentures, you can suffer from bone loss in the jaw. We might not realise it, but our teeth are responsible for a lot more than just chewing. Without teeth the bones in our jaw can begin to shrink and deteriorate which can cause further complications!
What happens if you don’t clean your dentures?
Regular denture maintenance can help avoid any pesky oral health problems that can get in the way of your new smile and confidence. Unclean dentures can result in a build-up of plaque and bacteria on the surface of the denture, and this can lead to a range of issues, such as gum disease, cavities, tooth decay and bad breath!
If little food particles get trapped under the dentures, it can act as a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause irritation and inflammation of the gums. Also, a lack of cleaning can lead to discoloration and staining of the dentures, making them look less natural and potentially affecting a person’s confidence in their appearance.
So how do you make sure your dentures are clean? Well, make sure to regularly brush them using a soft bristled brush and a denture cleaner, soak them overnight in a denture solution overnight, and rinse them thoroughly before wearing them again.
What is the lifespan of dentures?
It is important to note that the lifespan of your dentures can vary depending on the type of dentures you have. On average, dentures can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more if they’re well looked after!
Keep in mind that the fit and appearance of dentures can change over time, even with good care. As mentioned earlier, the shape of your mouth and jaw can change, so your dentures might become loose and need adjusting or replacing.
It is always best to ensure any issues are addressed quickly. If you wait too long to speak to your dental clinician, you risk prolonging an issue which might become more complex and costly to solve. If you notice damage, your dental clinician may provide a denture repair service for damaged or broken dentures.
Considering getting dentures? Contact us for a free consultation at any one of our denture clinics in Nottingham, Newark and Mansfield.