5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be Wearing Loose Dentures

Today, dentures are designed to be much more comfortable than what was worn by previous generations. Even with improvements in technology, it’s still important to ensure that your dentures fit correctly. In fact, wearing loose-fitting dentures may do more harm than good, causing problems that range from difficulty speaking to poor digestion.

Gum and Mouth Irritation

Loose dentures won’t form a solid bond between the denture materials and the underlying gums. This causes friction as the ill-fitting dentures move, which can result in irritated gums and discomfort that can extend to nearby parts of your mouth or jawbones. Sores may also develop in your mouth from poor-fitting dentures. Properly fitting dentures, however, can help keep gum tissue healthy.

Difficulty Speaking

When dentures are first worn, it’s normal to have some difficulty enunciating, although pronunciation typically improves over time. If you are wearing dentures that are loose, though, you may have continued difficulty speaking clearly or carrying on conversations without your dentures slipping out of place. Mouth movements related to laughing or speaking loudly can also cause loose dentures to slip.

Eating and Digestion Issues

If dentures are excessively loose, it can be difficult to properly chew and digest food. You may also be unable to fully chew food that’s tough or crunchy, which could present certain risks while swallowing. Regularly eating food that’s not thoroughly chewed could also contribute to digestive issues like indigestion, heartburn, constipation, and low energy.

Changes in Facial Appearance

If loose dentures are worn long enough, your facial appearance can change. This is because well-fitting dentures take over the role of natural teeth and help maintain the shape of your cheeks and jaw. Changes in facial appearance could be even more noticeable if you stop wearing your dentures because they don’t feel right, since a toothless mouth can also have an altered shape. Not wearing your dentures too often also defeats the purpose of having them in the first place.

Risk of Damaging Your Dentures

One of the biggest reasons I see patients for denture repair is that they were using loose-fitting dentures over an extended period of time. When a denture is fitted properly your bite force is spread out equally. However, when your denture is loose you subject them to unequal bite forces. This will weaken them over time. Then when you least expect it, you will bite into a piece of toast and a tooth breaks out of its base or a crack forms in the middle

Are you living with dentures that don’t fit comfortably? Do you find yourself using a loose dentures adhesive? Don’t settle for a temporary fix for loose dentures. Consider a visit to Expert Denture Clinic, where patients receive dentures designed to offer optimal comfort, function, and support. Contact us through our website or give us a call at (204) 334-0022.

For more information on how to tighten loose dentures, I searched youtube for a video that shows you the relining process that is similar to what we do here at Expert Denture Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Loose Dentures

How can I make my dentures tighter?

Many of our patients will use a loose denture adhesive such as Fixodent to secure their loose dentures in their mouths. This is a temporary solution as it does not address the root cause of loose dentures. All the adhesive does is secure your dentures to your gums to reduce the amount of movement and hopefully prevent your loose dentures from falling out of your mouth. The only way to truly make your dentures tighter is to have them relined by a denturist.

What are some signs of loose-fitting dentures?

Some of the signs of loose-fitting dentures would be difficulty chewing as your bite may not be correctly aligned if your dentures are not secured properly in the correct position. Another sign would be a sore developing in your mouth caused by the dentures rubbing back and forth on your gums and surrounding tissue. If your dentures fall out of your mouth, you know they are loose and should be relined by a denturist. Broken teeth or cracks are a result of the long-time use of loose dentures. If you notice any of the above, you should book an appointment at Expert Denture Clinic to have your loose dentures relined

Is it normal for dentures to be loose?

Yes and no. Allow me to explain. When you first get your dentures, they are constructed in such a way to fit snugly inside your mouth. So it is not normal for new dentures to be loose. However, over time changes occur in your mouth. Bone loss in your jaws and tissue loss occurs over time. Gradually the once perfect fit you had with your new dentures now becomes looser and looser. This is the normal evolution of wearing dentures over time, and wearing loose-fitting dentures becomes your new normal. It may be normal for you, but it can cause you a lot of problems and discomfort. If you find yourself using more and more denture adhesive to keep your dentures in place, it is time to get your dentures relined.