Tips For Recognizing And Addressing Poor Denture Fit

If you've just gotten dentures, the process of getting the perfect fit can take time. However, it's important that you not skip this stage. You need a proper fit to avoid the development of sore spots and the risk of infection. It's also important to keep in mind that your denture fit will change over time as your gums start to heal. They will gradually shrink a bit while they are healing, so you may have to adjust them several times. Here are a few tips to help you spot and address a worsening fit on your dentures.

Changes To Watch For

You may feel excess pressure in one part of your mouth or in one area of your gums. When this occurs, it may cause chafing and raw spots on your gum tissue. Sore spots on your gums may appear darker than the rest of the gums or could be bright red. Left to persist, they may make it difficult to eat or talk with your dentures in.

How These Changes Happen

Your denture should be adjusted to fit properly when you first get it. That means addressing any areas that are too tight or uncomfortable. Be attentive to those areas so that you can be sure it fits well. You'll also want to mention any areas that are loose or rubbing a bit.

Over time, your jaw will suffer some bone loss because there are no tooth roots in place to keep the bone alive. This can lead to a shift in the way that your denture fits, which may cause it to rub or put pressure in places that it didn't before. Relining is the only way to deal with this aside from getting a whole new denture, which is impractical.

How to Treat The Sore Spots

Once you've had your denture adjusted, you also need to treat the spots in your mouth that have been irritated. Use a saltwater rinse to help ease some of the irritation and skip the acidic foods until it heals. The acid in things like tomatoes and citrus fruits can lead to more pain and irritation in the gums.

Dentures are a great solution to persistent dental pain, but they aren't maintenance-free. You'll want to understand the risk of sore spots and poor fit so that you can address changes right away as they happen. With the information here and the help of your denturist, you can stay comfortable and keep your dentures fitting well.