If you’re new to dentures, know they do take a bit of getting used to, but eventually they should be comfortable and allow you to chew and speak normally. However, there are a few potential issues you should look out for. If you experience any of these, talk to your dentist.

Cracking in the corners of your mouth

People with dentures sometimes get a condition called cheilitis. Usually caused by a yeast infection, cheilitis generates inflammation and often shows up as cracked skin at the corners of your mouth. If you notice these symptoms, try not to lick the infected area with your tongue. Cheilitis can be treated with medication prescribed by your dentist.

Soreness or red spots

If you have general soreness or notice little red spots in your mouth, you may have denture-induced stomatitis. The condition is not always painful, but a slight soreness can get progressively worse over time, and it can also lead to secondary infections. Usually, stomatitis is caused by improperly fitting or poorly cleaned dentures. Your dentures may need to be adjusted, and medication may be necessary to fight any infection.

Movement of the dentures

If your dentures are not properly fitted, they may move around on you, making it more difficult to chew and causing mechanical friction against the tissues of the mouth. It is natural for dentures to wear down over time. It is also normal for the shape of your mouth to shift slightly. For these reasons, most patients eventually notice that their dentures don’t fit as well as they used to. When this happens, it’s time to get them adjusted. Loosely fitting dentures can lead to infections such as the ones described above.

Other issues

As always, if you have any other concerns or discomfort related to your dentures, talk to your dentist as soon as possible. Better safe than sorry!

Further Reading