If you’re missing all or most of your teeth, dentures in Worthington are an excellent way to restore your smile back to its former glory. After all, they allow you to bite, chew, speak, and smile with complete confidence once again. Unfortunately, though, dentures aren’t designed to last forever. Even the most high-quality pair of dentures needs to be replaced every five to ten years. But how can you tell it’s time to get a new pair? Here are four signs to watch out for.
1. Your Dentures Are Loose or Falling Out
Natural suction will keep a well-fitting pair of dentures firmly attached to your gums during most everyday activities like eating, talking, and grinning. If your dentures feel loose or are actually falling out of your mouth, you definitely need to see your dentist in Worthington to get your dentures repaired or replaced. In the meantime, you can use denture adhesive, which you can find at most pharmacies. Keep in mind, however, that this is only a temporary solution.
2. You Can’t Speak Clearly
Your dentures falling out isn’t the only consequence of their being too loose. They might also cause you to slur your words, resulting in you sounding “slushy.” Additionally, they may make a popping or clicking sound when you try to speak. This is a sign that your fit needs to be adjusted.
3. Your Dentures Are Uncomfortable
If your dentures are a great fit, they won’t cause discomfort or harm your gum tissue in any way. They will need to be replaced or relined if you experience any pain while biting or chewing. Also, if you detect any sores in your gums, you should alert your dentist right away.
4. Your Dentures Are Damaged or Discolored
If you notice any cracks or chips in your dentures, however tiny, it’s a sign that they need to be fixed or replaced. In addition, you should see your dentist if one or more of the teeth have become loose. Both of these problems could result in larger issues when you try to eat.
Another reason to replace your dentures is discoloration. With proper maintenance, this can be avoided. Over time, however, the shade of your false teeth may turn yellowish, especially if you consume a lot of coffee, wine, tea, or darkly pigmented foods while wearing them.
Still not sure whether or not your dentures need to be replaced or repaired? When in doubt, it’s never a bad idea to visit your dentist anyway to find out.
About the Author
Dr. Randall Nameth earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Ohio State University’s dental school in 1984. Since then, he has been providing quality dental care to the Worthington, OH community. He takes more than 40 hours of continuing education courses every year to stay abreast of the latest and greatest techniques that modern dentistry has to offer. His practice offers full and partial dentures to replace your missing teeth. If you think it’s time for your dentures to be replaced or repaired, contact Dr. Nameth at (614) 846-2222.