Dentures improve chewing and appearance, but used the wrong way they cause problems of their own. These are the issues we see most often in patients who wear dentures, and the simple ways to avoid them.
Ill-fitting dentures cause problems
The most common problem we see is a denture that no longer fits the gum or the bony ridge underneath. A loose denture shifts when you talk or chew and rubs the gum into a sore. A denture that presses too hard on one spot hurts and ulcerates too. Left alone, a sore can become inflamed or infected.
A new denture may need two or three adjustments before it settles. That is normal. Do not push through the pain, and do not file or bend it yourself. Come in and let us find the exact spot and adjust it. It does not take long.
Improper cleaning
A denture that is not cleaned properly collects plaque just as natural teeth do. The result is bad breath, inflamed gums under the denture and, in some people, a fungal infection of the mouth. Scrubbing a denture with ordinary toothpaste or a hard brush leaves fine scratches that hold even more plaque.
The right routine is to rinse after every meal, brush once a day with a soft brush and a denture cleaner or mild soap, and soak the denture overnight in clean water or a denture solution. Never use hot water; it warps the denture. If you still have natural teeth, care for them as usual and keep up your scaling and cleaning visits.
Effects on the gums and jawbone
Many people do not know this. After a tooth is extracted, the jawbone in that spot slowly shrinks because there is no longer a root to carry chewing force. A removable denture resting on the gum does not stop that process. As the ridge gets lower, a denture that once fitted well starts to loosen, and wearing a loose denture bruises the gum further.
The best protection is regular check-ups, so we can watch the fit and reline the denture when needed. If a denture keeps going loose, or you want a replacement that does not move, we can talk you through dental implants, which anchor in the bone itself.
Habits to avoid
- Biting hard things such as bones, ice or hard nuts. Dentures crack, and the gum underneath bruises.
- Sleeping in your dentures. The gums get no rest, bacteria build up and inflammation follows. Take them out at night and soak them.
- Using adhesive to hide a loose fit. Adhesive helps for a while, but the cause remains and the loose denture keeps damaging the gum.
- Home repairs. Bending a clasp, filing, or gluing a broken piece with household glue usually makes a proper repair harder. Keep the pieces and bring them in.
- Skipping check-ups. A denture that looks fine may already be loose without you noticing.
The ten-year denture
We regularly see patients who have worn the same denture for ten years or more without replacing it. Most come in because "it's loose and it moves when I eat". On examination the denture itself is often in fair shape, but the jawbone under it has shrunk over the years, so it simply does not fit any more.
Many are reluctant to give up a set they have grown attached to. We understand. But a denture is like a favorite pair of shoes: once it stops fitting, it is time for a new pair. Some can be relined; others need a new set made to the mouth as it is now. Once the fit is right, chewing improves straight away and the sore gums settle.
Book a consultation
Loose, sore, rubbing, or simply worn for so long that you are not sure it still fits? Come in and let us check. Fees for dentures and adjustments are on the price list. They are starting prices, and we confirm the exact cost after an examination.
- LINE
- Phone: 098 831 0246
- Open daily 10:00–20:00 (closed Tuesdays)
- Tooth Boutique Dental Clinic, Venice Di Iris, Vacharapol Road, Bang Khen, Bangkok. Parking available.