Many people believe that dentures last forever. Dentures typically last between 5 and 10 years. Not only do dentures wear out but your face and jaw change overtime while your dentures do not. You should make an appointment to have your dentures checked if:
- You have sore or irritated tissue in your mouth.
- You have problems chewing certain foods or frequently suffer from indigestion.
- You notice your lips are thinning, your mouth is sagging or your facial features have changed.
- Your dentures feel loose, or fall out when you are speaking or laughing.
- Your dentures are discoloured and/or have a persistent, unpleasant odor.
- Your gums and other mouth tissue feel softer than before.
- You experience frequent headaches, neck aches or ear pain.
- You have experienced bone loss.
- You avoid wearing your dentures whenever possible.
- Your dentures only stay in place when you use dental adhesives.
Most changes are gradual, so you may not notice them right away. However, the longer you wait to address these issues the more pronounced they become, impacting your overall health and wellbeing. Ill fitting dentures can damage the delicate tissue of your gums, causing painful sores that are susceptible to infection.
If you notice any of the above symptoms or your dentures just don’t feel quite right you should make an appointment with your denturist. You should also schedule an annual checkup so that your denturist can catch any small changes sooner rather than later so they can be corrected. He or she will also be able to best determine if your dentures need to be adjusted or replaced and will have to tools and knowledge to make the appropriate adjustments.
You should avoid trying to adjust your dentures yourself, since you could inadvertently damage your dentures and make the problem worse.
For more information about dentures, or to book an appointment, contact the Future Smiles Denture Clinic at 403.475.0016 and visit calgarydentureclinic.net.
