Given the wear and tear they go through every day, it’s only natural for your dentures to eventually break or become too deformed to fix. When this happens, you’ll need to get new dentures. If you want to avoid issues caused by worn and damaged dentures, then you need to have them replaced before they break or wear out entirely.
Here are some of the most common signs you should watch out for:
- Constant discomfort. One of the most common signs of needing new dentures is experiencing pain or discomfort. If you notice that something has been “off” about your dentures recently, then it may be time to have it checked and replaced by your prosthetist.
- Difficulty chewing food and speaking properly. Badly worn dentures as well as very loose dentures can make chewing food and speaking more difficult. If you notice that you’re constantly displacing your dentures when speaking, or can’t chew adequately whenever you eat, then it could be a sign that you need to replace it.
- Irritated mouth and gums. Dentures that don’t stay in place because of change in shape can irritate your mouth or gums. Loose dentures will shift constantly inside your mouth, which could irritate surrounding gum tissues. Watch out for signs of inflammation or redness in your gums or mouth.
- Noticeable cracks or chips. Cracks and chips leave dentures vulnerable to further damage and could even cut your gums or cheeks in the worst cases.
- Constantly biting the inside of your mouth or cheek. Worn or badly fitting dentures may not always hold back your inner cheek tissue sufficiently when chewing, causing you to bite into part of your inner cheek regularly.