Dentures can restore your ability to eat, speak, and smile with confidence—but only if they fit well. Ill-fitting dentures don’t just cause discomfort; they can also lead to serious oral health issues and reduce your quality of life. If your dentures are slipping, causing pain, or feel loose, it’s time to pay attention. Here are five possible complications of ill-fitting dentures and why it’s important to address them as soon as possible.
Gum Irritation and Sores
When dentures don’t fit snugly, they can rub against your gums with every bite or word you speak. Over time, this constant friction can lead to redness, swelling, and painful sores on the soft tissues of your mouth. These pressure spots make it difficult to eat and talk comfortably, and they can become infected if not treated promptly.
Chronic irritation may also cause your gums to shrink further, making the fit even worse and creating a cycle that only worsens without professional intervention.
Difficulty Eating and Nutritional Deficiencies
Ill-fitting dentures often slip or shift while eating, making it hard to chew properly. As a result, many people start avoiding certain foods, especially healthy options like raw fruits, vegetables, and lean meats that require more effort to chew. This can lead to poor nutrition and digestive issues, especially in older adults.
In some cases, people may even eat less overall due to discomfort, which can cause unwanted weight loss and a weakened immune system.
Changes in Speech
Your teeth play a critical role in forming words. If your dentures are loose or unstable, they can affect how you pronounce certain sounds. You might develop a lisp or find it harder to speak clearly. This can be frustrating and embarrassing, especially in social or professional situations.
Speech difficulties are often one of the first signs that your dentures need adjusting or replacing.
Jaw Pain and TMJ Issues
When dentures don’t align properly with your jaw, your bite becomes uneven. This puts added stress on your jaw joints (TMJ) and surrounding muscles, which can lead to jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and even neck or shoulder discomfort. Over time, this imbalance can contribute to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a chronic condition that affects jaw function.
Properly fitting dentures are designed to distribute pressure evenly across your bite to help prevent this kind of strain.
Bone Loss and Facial Changes
One of the most serious long-term complications of ill-fitting dentures is accelerated bone loss in the jaw. When dentures don’t fit correctly, they can place uneven pressure on the underlying bone, which speeds up resorption, the natural process of bone shrinking in areas without teeth.
As the jawbone deteriorates, it leads to visible changes in facial appearance, such as a sunken or aged look. Unfortunately, bone loss also makes it even harder to achieve a secure fit for future dentures.
Ill-fitting dentures are more than just an annoyance; they can compromise your oral health, nutrition, appearance, and overall well-being. If your dentures feel loose, painful, or just not right, don’t wait. Schedule a dental visit to get them adjusted or replaced. A comfortable, stable fit is key to maintaining a healthy, confident smile.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Sikes is a Mt. Pleasant native and a 1981 graduate of the Baylor College of Dentistry. He stays current with the latest developments in the dental field by maintaining professional memberships in organizations like the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. If your dentures are giving you problems, let Dr. Sikes and our expert team get your appliance fitting right to end your issues. Give our Mt. Pleasant office a call to schedule your appointment at (903) 572-9720 or visit our website.