If you lose your teeth, you can have dentures, or false teeth made as a replacement for them. If you decide on getting dentures in Annapolis, MD, you can either choose partial or full dentures. The good news is that today’s dentures are a far cry from the dentures of years past. They are more comfortable to use, and more natural looking.
It is important for you to know how to care for your dentures the right way. If you take them for granted, or fail to practice proper oral hygiene, you may soon be troubled by denture problems.
The following are some of the problems you are likely to encounter with dentures:
Difficulty Eating
There are certain foods which are difficult to chew when you have dentures. However, if you find it difficult to chew all the time, there may be something wrong with how your upper dentures align with the lower ones, or how the dentures align with your natural teeth. This lack of proper alignment is likely to affect the state of balance affecting dentures, tissues and muscles in your mouth. This may result in pressure or chafing, making it difficult for you to chew.
Difficulty Talking
Do you find it difficult to speak properly? Do you find yourself making smacking, whistling, or clicking sounds without meaning to?
When your dentures are not in their right position, they are likely to move around in your mouth. When you use your tongue and cheek to get your dentures under control, and try to speak at the same time, you are likely to find it difficult to form words correctly. You will also tend to make whistling, smacking, or clicking sounds involuntarily.
Discomfort or Pain in the Mouth or Gums/Mouth Infections
Gums and bones change over time. Your dentures will lose the support they get from the bones. When this happens, you will find that your dentures do not fit as well as they did before. Your mouth will over-close; the lips will not seal as well as they did before. Your saliva is likely to pool at the sides of your mouth, causing the skin to become sore, and sometimes infected.
Cheilosis or cheilitis is an irritating infection causing the corners of your mouth to crack, and become sore and inflamed. The condition is usually a result of yeast accumulating in the moist areas of the mouth when the dentures do not fit right.
Stomatitis is another condition caused by yeast overgrowth. Common symptoms include tiny inflamed sores on the roof of your mouth, and a general redness along the mouth, especially beneath the upper dentures.
Avoid problems with your dentures by taking care of them properly. Practice effective dental care. Visit your dentist at least twice a year for check-ups. If you notice changes in the way your dentures fit, or feel any discomfort from using your dentures, see your dentist immediately. Your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced by your dentist.
