29 Jun How Often Do Dentures Need to Be Replaced?
You finally got your dentures, they fit great, you can eat comfortably again, and you feel like yourself. So when a friend mentions that she had to replace hers after just a few years, it stops you cold. Wait, really?
The truth is, a lot of people either don’t know or forget the fact that they’ll need new dentures every five to ten years. If you’re wearing dentures that don’t fit, they can cause far more than discomfort. Ill-fitting dentures can cause sores and infections. And wearing dentures that don’t fit can lead to changes in your bite or even the shape of your face.
Here’s how to tell when it’s time to replace your dentures.
How Long Do Dentures Last?
Most dentures last somewhere between five and ten years, but a lot of things can move that number up or down. How long your dentures last will depend on how well you take care of them and how the shape of your mouth changes over time.
- Different materials wear differently over the years, and higher-end options usually last longer with regular use.
- Normal actions like chewing, talking, and wearing your dentures all day will eventually wear them out.
- Your gums and jaw naturally change shape as you get older, which can affect the way dentures fit.
- Good cleaning habits help prevent buildup, stains, and damage and make them last longer.
Routine checkups make all the difference, even when your dentures seem to fit fine. Removable dentures should be evaluated for replacement whenever they cause chronic irritation, no longer stay in place on their own, or have degraded to the point of instability.
Five Signs That It’s Time for New Dentures
1: Slipping or clicking
If your dentures shift when you eat or speak, the fit has changed. After a tooth has been pulled, the supporting bone tissue is no longer needed, so it gradually shrinks and shifts. When this happens, dentures that used to fit perfectly five years ago might not fit any more.
2: Sore spots or irritation
Dentures that no longer fit properly create friction against your gums, causing inflammation and discomfort. If you’re cleaning your dentures correctly but still experiencing irritation or sores, it’s probably the fit that’s off.
3: Difficulty chewing
When foods that used to be easy to eat feel like a struggle, it’s usually a sign that your dentures are damaged. Soaking them in water that’s too hot or accidentally dropping them could break them or change their shape.
4: Visible wear or cracks
Even hairline cracks in dentures can harbor bacteria. If your dentures are obviously warped or broken, you should not wear them anymore.
5: Changes in your face shape
Ill-fitting dentures can accelerate bone loss, changing the appearance of your jaw and lips over time. If your face is looking more “sunken” than normal, you might just need new dentures.
What About Partial Dentures?
Partial dentures can sometimes hold up a bit longer, but they deal with the same wear and fit issues over time. The teeth that they’re attached to can shift or move, and when that happens, the partial dentures get damaged as well.
It’s not something you can prevent, but it underscores the importance of going to your checkups, because changes in the alignment of the supporting teeth are something only a dentist would notice.
Need New Dentures? Visit Saba & Chiappetti in Sun Lakes
A lot of people put up with denture issues longer than they should, because they don’t want to have to buy new ones. However, waiting often makes things worse. Dentures that don’t fit right can irritate your gums, affect the way you eat, and even change your bite over time.
If your dentures are making you uncomfortable, it’s time for an evaluation. It could turn out that they only need an adjustment, so don’t wait for things to get worse. Make an appointment at Saba and Chiappetti today.
Photo by Raymond Petrik on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 6/12/26.