Dentures are most common in people over the age of 60, but if you’ve been in an accident you may require dentures, as well. Keeping your dentures healthy is very important to keep you from experiencing discomfort while wearing them. Sometimes, however, there is no escaping denture problems. Solutions for denture health are simple, but you have to keep up with them in order for them to work.

Common Denture Problems & Solutions
The most common denture problem is ill-fitting dentures, which can cause a lot of pain. When you have proper-fitting dentures, they are snug against your gums and cause no pain. With ill-fitting dentures, they slide around and cause pain. This rubbing sensation of the dentures against your gums causes soreness and swelling and, if left untreated, can make wearing dentures unbearable. Rubbing can also cause a callous called epulis, which will require oral surgery to correct.
The next leading common denture problem is due to natural changes in the jaw and gums. Over time, jaw bones can shift and the bones under the gums can shrink. Both of these factor into dentures not fitting properly and causing pain. To fix these problems, there are 3 solutions: relining, recasting, and mini implants. Relining uses liquid acrylic to mold dentures more closely with the gum while recasting creates a whole new denture for a better fit. Mini implants have become the most popular choice because they are extremely effective. Mini implants are used to stabilize the dentures by being inserted into the bone beneath the gums. It is a minimally invasive procedure and can be done in one visit.
Healthy Dentures
Just because you are wearing fake teeth, does not mean you get to skimp out on taking care of them. Dentures require just as much care as real teeth and here are some tips you can follow to keep them healthy to reduce any problems that might arise:
● Brush everyday. Plaque can build up on dentures just like normal teeth.
● Use toothpaste and a toothbrush that are specifically designed for dentures. Regular toothbrushes and toothpaste are too harsh on dentures and can scratch them.
● Soak at night. When you’re sleeping, you don’t need your dentures. Clean them and then soak them in denture cleanser to avoid your dentures drying out and losing their shape.
● Regular dentist visits. Regular hygiene checkups are essential for everyone, not just denture wearers, to check for signs of gum disease, oral cancer, and for proper denture fit.
● Store safely. Dentures are delicate and can break easily. When you’re not wearing them, keep them in a safe place away from children and pets.
If you’re having denture problems and are in need of a solution, call Advanced Prosthodontics today at (610) 865-4222.