Common Problems with Partial Dentures and How to Prevent Them
Jun 01, 2023
Partial dentures are excellent for replacing missing or broken teeth to restore your smile. However, it doesn’t mean your experience with the partials will be smooth from day one.
Partial dentures require some time to get accustomed, and you might find the initial few days or weeks uncomfortable because of the adjustment period. In addition, you might experience discomfort with the partials and some changes in your mouth. However, your problems with the partials will not remain forever, and solutions are available to mitigate them.
If you are considering replacing a missing tooth with partial dentures or experiencing problems with a dental prosthetic, consider the following common problems with partials and learn what you can do to resolve them.
Problems to Deal with Partial Dentures
Although excellent for replacing missing teeth, partial dentures come with problems you must deal with when you start wearing them initially. The issues include the following:
- Sore Gums: You can expect soreness in your gums as you get accustomed to your partials. Your mouth is adjusting to the new appliance, making you feel and experience some discomfort. See the dentist near me if the pain results from ill-fitting dentures because such appliances can put excessive pressure on the gums resulting in sores and infection. Adjusting the partials to fit correctly will help and is best performed by a dentist.
- Excessive Saliva: When you start wearing your partials, you might notice excessive saliva in your mouth, a common problem with partial dentures. However, the problem resolves itself as your mouth gets accustomed to an alien appliance. You can consider swallowing more or sucking on sugar-free hard Candy as the problem gradually subsides.
- Unnatural Feeling: As mentioned earlier, your mouth must get accustomed to the feeling of a new appliance making it feel strange for some time. You might feel your lips getting pushed or have a bulky mouth feel. The sensation will go away as you get accustomed to the feel. Therefore, you might overlook the partials shortly after placing them in your mouth.
- Difficulties with Speech: Your speech also appears different when talking with your family or friends or reading aloud. However, the more you indulge in speaking, the easier it becomes to pronounce tricky words. After some time, your mouth and tongue muscles will adjust to the partials to help you confidently chat.
- Challenges Chewing: Eating with your partials is a challenge you must get used to. However, if you proceed slowly with denture-friendly foods, you will eventually succeed. You can start with soft foods like mashed potatoes, smoothies, et cetera remaining cautious about taking small bites while chewing slowly and sipping on plenty of water. As your mouth muscles become accustomed to the partial eating will start feeling normal and enjoyable.
- Oral Hygiene: Maintaining excellent dental hygiene is vital for partial dentures because they can easily trap food to increase your risk of gum disease and cavities in the adjacent teeth. Therefore you must brush and floss your natural teeth and clean the partial denture thoroughly to prevent harm to your mouth.
- Damage to Partials: You must remain gentle with the partials when cleaning or removing them before bed. Partial dentures can be fragile and susceptible to bending or breaking, depending on your appliance type. If you damage the partials, do not try to fix them but see the dentist in Vernon, BC, for the repairs because they are experienced in such tasks.
Five Tips to Maintain Partial Dentures for Better Durability
Investing in restorative dentistry and getting partials to restore your smile and mouth functionality helps if you care for dental prosthetics by following the steps mentioned below to extend their longevity. In addition, you will receive advice from the Vernon dentist to care for your partials using these tips:
- Cleaning the Partials Twice-Daily: partials need cleaning twice daily like natural teeth. If possible, clean the partials of every meal, paying attention to the gums and the teeth holding the dentures.
- Do Not Drop the Partials: dentures are susceptible to breaking, making it essential to clean them over a bowl of water to ensure they have a soft landing if they fall.
- Removing Partial Dentures: your mouth needs a break from the dentures, making it essential to remove them before bed. After cleaning your partials, it helps to soak them in water overnight to give them time off from the daily grind.
- Soaking dentures Overnight: soaking partial dentures overnight in cold water or a denture cleaning solution prescribed by the dentist helps prevent the dentures from warping to retain their natural shape.
- Dental Visits: partial dentures can stop fitting snugly with time. Home repair is not a solution to the problem because you can schedule an appointment with the Vernon dentist to correct your partials.
If you have a missing tooth you feel needs replacement, consider getting partial dentures from Ryan K Dentistry by understanding the challenges you will encounter and how to overcome the problems from them. You also receive the five best tips to care for the partials from the dental practice to help you extend the longevity of the replacement teeth.