How To Deal With Ongoing Denture Discomfort

Few things can grate on your physical and emotional comfort like having a set of dentures that is painful or ill-fitting. There are a few possible sources of relief to consider.

Have Your Denture Habits Evaluated

The first thing to do would be to have a thorough discussion with your dentist about why the dentures aren't working for you. They might have some suggestions about better care techniques or additional things to do to make them fit better. For one, you might need a stronger denture adhesive. Or you might want to practice certain chewing techniques in front of your dentist so that they can point out ways to make the process go better. They might recommend a speech therapist if speaking is the biggest problem you're having with dentures. When you can't afford to spend any more money on your dental care, making dentures work better for you is the number one goal.

Have the Dentures Redone

You may also want to see if you can have your dentures redone. The procedure for getting a fix depends on how long you've had the dentures. If you just got your dentures and they don't fit correctly, take them back to the same dentist and ask for them to be redone. The dentist might have made a mistake in sizing the custom inserts for your dentures. If you have had the dentures for awhile, you might need to buy a new set of dentures. It's very possible for dentures to stop fitting over time; the shape of your mouth can change gradually due to weight gain or loss. When you are going for an evaluation about your dentures, make sure you find a dentist who specializes in creating dentures and dealing with geriatric health issues.

Consider Getting Dental Implants

If all of the above doesn't start to help you, don't suffer in silence. Ask your dentist about the possibility of getting dental implants put in place to replace your dentures. This is like getting a second chance at having natural teeth; implants are designed to mimic real teeth as closely as possible. You will find that they are easier to maintain than dentures, and you don't have to worry about them not fitting. Your dentist will need to check for infection or gum disease before you proceed, and after that, the process of installation takes six weeks or more from the dental implant process to a full recovery.