How Long Dentures May Last?

Dentures spend hours in your mouth as a permanent part of it. They help you smile and function typically once set in your mouth. When removed, you can clean it properly and rest your gums. Your dentures are not just there for aesthetics but help in many other ways.

Being such a crucial part of your oral health, you must also understand that they are not there forever. They need repair, replacement, and maintenance after every while to ensure they fit and work correctly. This article lets us learn about dentures and their longevity and identify signs that tell us that they need replacement.

Why Do Dentures Need to Be Replaced?

Dentures also wear off, just like your natural teeth. The mouth shape might change over the years, making the denture difficult enough to fit or function properly. Also, wearing off and lack of proper hygiene might cause the denture to be covered with plaque buildup. Your dentist might somewhat clean it off, but if it has been over five years, they suggest replacing it.

Most dentures last over seven years, and some even last a decade. It depends on the maintenance and hygiene one follows to make dentures last longer. These measures might help you maintain practical oral function and health despite using dentures for many years.

Signs That Tells You Need Denture Replacement

Dentures have been part of your mouth for many years, and you might observe changes in your mouth over this period. Your mouth structure might shift as you grow old and might need some adjustments in your denture size over time. Also, some people do not maintain dentures with proper hygiene and care. This makes dentures wear out quickly and might not last longer.

Let us learn about signs that indicate that your dentures need replacement:

Speech Difficulty

Dentures might become loose over the years as the shape of the jaw changes. It affects your speech. If they are slurring words, people with dentures might need to check them with a professional. The dentures might make a clicking sound if ignored. These indications show dentures do not fit properly and might need size adjustments or replacement.

Falling Out Dentures

Dentures need sufficient fitting to attach to gums and help one talk or chew food. Ill-fitting dentures affect your appearance and make it difficult to talk or eat food. Some dentures might fall out despite using adhesive. In these conditions, it is essential to replace your dentures. Your dentist might suggest a short-term fix, such as using an adhesive. But it is better to plan to buy a new denture for better aesthetics and function.

Damaged Dentures

Dentures that are damaged must not be used. They need immediate repair or replacement. If you use a cracked or chipped denture, it might affect your jaw alignment. This will also make chewing food difficult. Chipped dentures might also cause damage to your gum tissues. A minor can be repaired, but if your dentures are damaged enough, they must be replaced.

Discoloration

Dentures change their color over the years. Unlike natural teeth, they might not stay their original color despite proper care. If your dentures are discolored, they need to be replaced. Discoloration can be a problem for your aesthetics and might make you look odd. Stained, yellowish, or discolored dentures must be replaced if your dentist suggests so.

Discomfort With Gum Tissue

Fitted dentures need removal for a few hours every day. However, if worn for a few hours, ill-fitting dentures can cause discomfort and pain. This makes it difficult to manage daily chores and needs removal at few-hour intervals. If your dentures are hurting your gums, you might need replacement.

Tips to Make Denture Last Longer

Maintenance of dentures needs effort and time. Most people consider dentures replaceable and might not care for them as natural teeth. This shortens their life and might lead to various oral health issues. Here are some tips you can follow to ensure your dentures last longer:

• Use a dental appliance brush to clean your dentures properly.
• Use lukewarm water to clean your dentures instead of too hot or boiling water.
• You must use a wet towel to clean your gums from denture adhesive after a while.
• You can visit your dentist to remove tough stains or plaque buildup from your dentures.
• Do not try to repair your dentures at home. You must visit your dentist immediately if you observe any cracks or chips on your dentures.

Final Thoughts

Dentures are easy to maintain and clean during the first few years. If oral hygiene is not maintained during this time, plaque buildup and discoloration become too much. This affects your oral health negatively. Also, it can affect your appearance and confidence. You must ensure that your dentures get the same maintenance and cleanliness as your natural teeth.

Using a cleansing solution, brushing off food particles, and yearly dental visits can ensure a longer life for your dentures. You can also visit experts at Winne Dentist TX to consult about gum-related issues or buy new dentures. You must consult your dentist about any problem with your dentures to prevent mouth sores or discomfort to your gums.