Today's dentures (or false teeth) are made from modern natural-looking materials that are much more comfortable than their predecessors.  However, sometimes problems do occur which denture wearers should be aware of. 

Here are some common denture problems, together with tips to solve them.

Oral Hygiene and Correct Fitting

It's really important for everyone to keep their mouth clean and healthy, and this is especially important if you wear dentures.  If you neglect your oral hygiene, bacteria can build up in your mouth leaving you more open to mouth infections.

Denture wearers sometimes suffer from cheilitis.  This is a painful skin infection caused by an excess of yeast.  If your dentures don't fit properly, yeast readily accumulates in your mouth.  Cheilitis leads to inflammation and cracks in the corners of the mouth.  The condition is readily preventable by ensuring that your dentures fit correctly, and avoiding touching or rubbing the corners of your mouth.

Stomatitis is another infection that occurs when there is too much yeast present in your mouth.  The condition is characterised by the appearance of little red lumps beneath your upper dentures, and on the roof of your mouth.

Both conditions can be treated medicinally, but are easily prevented by having good oral hygiene, and wearing properly fitted clean dentures.  As you age, your bones and gums alter which can affect the fit of your dentures.  Regular dental check-ups will ensure that your dentures can be modified or refitted when required.

Use a good quality antibacterial mouthwash twice daily, and clean your dentures thoroughly every day using a proprietary cleaner as recommended by your dentist.

Speech and Eating

When your dentures are first fitted, you might have difficulty in saying particular words or phrases.  This is to be expected at first until you get used to them.  Practice makes perfect; try repeating out loud any words that you're struggling with, and speak slowly.  If you find that your new dentures are moving when you smile or laugh, try gently biting down and swallowing to reset them into place.  If the problems persist, ask your dentist to check the fit. 

You might not feel confident eating sticky or crunchy foods when you first start wearing your dentures.  To begin with, stick to eating soft foods and chew slowly.  If you tend to favour one side of your mouth over the other, you could find that your dentures tip or slide forward as you eat.  Prevent this by chewing on both sides of your mouth evenly.

It's a good idea to use a denture adhesive.  Adhesive will help keep your dentures in place, and they'll feel much more secure.  Always follow the instructions on the packaging, and if you have problems with slipping or movement, consult your dentist.

In conclusion

Wearing dentures for the first time can be a daunting experience.  Make sure that your dentures fit correctly, and maintain good oral hygiene to avoid many of the common problems experienced by denture-wearers.  If you have any problems or need help with your dentures, always visit your dentist (or Natural Denture Clinic) for advice.