The Long-Term Health Implications of Ill-Fitting Dentures

Living with dentures that don't fit correctly isn't just a temporary annoyance—it can have lasting health implications. Here's a deeper look into the ripple effects of persistently wearing dentures that aren't quite right.

How Dentures Work

Dentures, as many people are aware, are replacement teeth that are used when all or, in the case of partial dentures, some teeth are missing.

Full dentures are composed of artificial teeth affixed to a denture base. The base is custom-created from the form of your mouth and sits on top of the gums. Adhesives are used to hold the denture in place. Partial dentures are similar in that they are comprised of a base with artificial teeth, but they utilize connectors to attach to adjacent teeth.

Importance of Denture Fit

Because dentures sit on the gums, and sometimes remaining teeth, fit is incredibly important. While dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth, they may need to be adjusted at first, and often over time, to ensure a perfect fit.

If your original fit is not great, or if changes to your mouth over time degrade the fit of your dentures, you may end up with significant dental issues as a result.

Oral Tissue Damage

Dentures are in direct contact with a lot of areas of your mouth. Continuous friction from ill-fitting dentures can cause damage to the gums and mouth's soft tissues. This repeated trauma, even in small amounts, can lead to tissue inflammation, ulcers, and even growths that, in some cases, could be precancerous.

While some normal soreness is common when you first get dentures, if discomfort persists or develops over time, make an appointment ASAP.

Bone Resorption

The jawbone requires stimulation to maintain its density. Poorly fitting dentures might not provide the necessary pressure or could distribute it unevenly, leading to bone resorption or loss. Over time, this can change the shape of the face, making it appear sunken and aged.

Unfortunately, even the best-fitting dentures do not completely preserve bone mass in the jaw. If this is a concern, you may want to discuss dental implants with your provider.

Digestive Issues

An improper fit can make chewing food adequately challenging. As a result, larger food particles enter the stomach, leading to indigestion and other gastrointestinal complications.

Oral Infections

Spaces from loose dentures can trap food particles, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. This situation can increase the risk of oral infections like thrush or, while rare, more severe conditions, including bacterial endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart's inner lining.

Speech Difficulties

The constant movement of ill-fitting dentures can impact the tongue's position and movement, which is important for speech. This shift can lead to persistent speech difficulties and even alter the sound of one's voice. While this may be expected with new dentures, with practice, you should be able to speak normally as long as your dentures fit well.

Diminished Nutritional Intake

If eating becomes a challenge, there's a risk that individuals might avoid certain foods, particularly hard or sticky ones. This self-imposed restriction can lead to missed essential nutrients, impacting overall health. A well-balanced (by balanced, we mean varied diet full of healthy "whole" foods like lean meats, colorful veggies, and healthy fats) diet is an integral part of your overall health. Over time, this can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, weight gain or loss, and other medical conditions.

Get a Perfect Denture Fit

The potential long-term health consequences we discussed underscore the importance of ensuring that dentures fit well and are regularly checked and adjusted by your dentist. If you feel like your dentures aren't fitting well, contact us today for an appointment.