Common denture wearing problems and how to deal with them

With dentures, a patient can chew and digest food properly, speak clearly and smile with confidence. At the same time, there are some common issues that people may encounter, especially when they first get dentures. We spoke with Ryan Carlton of Dentures Plus about this aspect of dentistry. The dental clinician, who runs clinics in Christchurch and Kaiapoi, listed out five key problems experienced by denture wearers and how to deal with them.

Trouble eating: Like a toddler learning to walk, you may find eating difficult when you first get your new dentures. They can slip out of position and reduce your chewing efficiency and bite force. Swallowing large pieces of food and eating hard foods like nuts and seeds can be challenging. Ryan recommends softer foods and making sure you cut larger foods into smaller chunks before you eat them while you learn how to use your dentures.

Sore spots: Dentures can move around and rub on your gums. Loose-fitting ones can exert excess pressure on a particular area, resulting in sore spots which can be painful and make eating more difficult. Implant supported dentures offer an excellent solution because they are more stable.

Inconvenience: Just like regular teeth, dentures too need daily cleaning. You may need to remove your dentures daily before going to bed and clean them with a denture solution. Failing to clean them can result in thrush or other dental problems, which may shorten the lifespan of your dentures.

Social phobias: The fear of removable dentures slipping while eating, chewing or speaking to someone else, and causing embarrassing moments, may cause denture wearers to withdraw from social events such as family outings, get-togethers with friends and dating. This may lead to loneliness, isolation and even depression.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, why not book a free consultation at Dentures Plus to see if the team can remedy these problems for you and help restore your confidence through your smile.

It is highly recommended you have your dentures checked at least every two years. During this check, Ryan and his team will look for oral lesions and possible cancerous lesions, which if detected early can be easier to treat.