One of the main reasons that dentures become loose is that our jaws shrink as we get older. In fact, we lose density in all our bones as we age, but it is only in our mouths, where dentures may have been made to fit a younger jaw, that the effects are obvious. If you have had missing teeth for some time before getting dentures fitted this could exacerbate the problem even further, as gaps in your smile can increase the chances of bone wear and tear, and can even increase the wrinkles around your mouth!
Why have my dentures become loose?
If you have had your dentures for some time, then they might become loose through plain old wear and tear. If you are looking after them properly, taking them in and out every day for cleaning, applying denture adhesive on special occasions and eating hard foods then the plate may become slightly damaged or cracked over time, leading to the dentures becoming loose. If the damage is only minor, then the dentures can probably just be realigned and be as good as new. However, if the patient leaves the loose dentures for some months before seeking help, then the damage done might be too great to fix by the time a dentist actually sees the false teeth.
Are there any other reasons for loose dentures?
Patients who don’t take good care of their dentures, or their oral health generally, may find that they are more likely to have problems with loose dentures. Whether this is because of damage to the false teeth themselves or infection and bleeding in the gums where the dentures fit, the implications are always significant. Any dentist would probably be worried that the same problems were just going to occur again, unless the patient learned their expensive lesson from having to replace their dentures.
My dentures feel uncomfortable, is this normal?
On rare occasions, the dentures can be loose right from the start. It can take a few weeks or even a couple of months for new dentures to settle into position, so don’t be too worried if they don’t feel totally comfortable and secure from day one, but if the false teeth are still rubbing the inside of your mouth or coming loose while eating and speaking after a significant amount of time, then it is a good idea to return to the dentist who gave you the initial consultation to see if they can spot any problems with the dentures. It could be that there was a problem with the impression or measurements taken or even that the dentures were badly made. Either way, your dentist should provide you with a free replacement under these circumstances.