Having a denture become loose is a common occurrence and not something that should be a great cause for concern. But you don't want to leave it loose for long. Here are three reasons why your denture may have become loose.
Dentures are a fantastic and affordable tooth replacement option for many. But when your denture that once fit snug and remained stable when talking and chewing is now loose, you may be curious as to why that happened.
Here are three of the most common reasons why a denture may become loose, courtesy of our Calgary denture clinic with locations in the NE and SW quadrants of the city.
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Have a denture emergency? Future Smiles Denture Clinic is committed to helping Calgarians with all of their denture care needs. From direct billing and house calls to FREE consultations and denture care advice for all patients — new or existing, our experienced denture care team at our NE and SW Calgary denture clinics are here to help. Contact us today for an appointment, and we'll get you smiling again in no time!
3 Reasons Why Your Denture Might Be Loose
It takes time for someone to become used to their denture. The tongue, oral tissues, and patient all need to adapt to having the prosthetic in a place where their natural teeth once resided. Knowing that this adaptation must take place, and being ready for the changes that wearing a denture brings with it, can go a long way in helping the patient properly prepare for what to expect with their new dental appliance.
One thing new denture wearers should expect is that their denture might become loose at some point. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons patients visit their denturist for an adjustment. While a loose-fitting denture is no reason to panic, it is something you will want to address right away. Otherwise, you could cause yourself avoidable pain or discomfort, or put your denture at a higher risk for breaking.
Let's look at three of the main reasons why your denture may have suddenly become loose.
1. Your Oral Tissue Adapts
Those who are new to dentures should actually expect them to become loose shortly after getting them. This is due to the natural healing process their dental tissue undergoes following the extraction of their remaining natural teeth. The tissue will become inflamed, which is a completely normal and important part of the healing process. If your denture was inserted right after your tooth extraction, it will fit securely and snugly. But as time goes on and the tissue recedes as the inflammation goes down, you will notice your denture doesn't fit as well as it first did.
Your denturist will have properly prepared you for this inevitability and will book you in for an adjustment appointment within the first few weeks of receiving them.
2. Bone Resorption
After your remaining natural teeth have been removed in anticipation of your complete denture, the bone within your jaw will recede. This natural and unavoidable phenomenon is known as resorption. Because the jawbone is no longer needed to support your natural teeth, it responds thusly by shrinking in size — which correlates to loose dentures over time.
One way you can avoid resorption and the loose dentures it entails is through denture implants. The dental implants that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to support this type of denture actually prevent bone loss, as your jawbone will view the implants as though it is the root of a tooth.
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3. You've Lost Weight
If you lose a significant amount of weight, your waistline and stomach aren't the only things that will get smaller. Your gums will shrink too, leading to loose-fitting dentures. Typically any weight loss above 30 lbs. will necessitate a denture adjustment, but even losing 10 lbs. could cause your dentures to become loose and require them to be refitted.
Speak with your denturist if you plan on embarking on a weight loss journey that might see you lose a substantial amount of weight. They will be able to help you plan accordingly and can be proactive with your denture adjustment, allowing you to not experience a loose-fitting denture for an extended period of time.
Wrapping Up
Once again, having your denture become loose is not a major cause for concern and is quite common due to any of the three reasons we've highlighted above. But you don't want to live with a loose-fitting denture for too long, as doing so can cause you needless pain or discomfort and increase the risk of your denture breaking.
Should you require any denture care advice, contact us today to speak with our experienced denturist who will help satisfy your concerns or answer your questions free of charge.
Get Your Free Consultation
If you need affordable dentures in Calgary or would like more information about our denture repair and care services, Future Smiles Denture Clinic has you covered. Just get in touch with our helpful denture team by calling 403-475-0016 or by booking a FREE consultation or by visiting our Coral Springs NE or Macleod SW Calgary clinics. We'd love to help get you smiling again!
FAQs
Q: How do I know if my dentures fit properly?
The best way to tell if your dentures fit properly is by comparing how they first fit after receiving them from your denturist to how they fit now. For complete or full dentures, a basic guideline should be that the top denture suctions smoothly to your gums, while your bottom denture floats above them. They should stay in your mouth without any problems as well.
Q: Is it normal for dentures to be loose?
While it may be common, it is not 'normal' to have your denture be loose. This is a sign that an adjustment or repair needs to be made and you should book an appointment with your denture clinic right away. Loose-fitting dentures can lead to pain and discomfort, or fall out. They can also increase the risk of your denture breaking.
Q: How do I know if my dentures are too big?
There are a few things that will let you know if your dentures are too big:
- Your gums and mouth feel swollen and painful for more than a couple of months after receiving them
- You gag a lot or feel as though you need to gag often because your denture is moving around frequently
- You cannot eat or chew properly because your denture is slipping around in your mouth
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