Have you been wearing the same dentures for years? Are you wondering if they need to be replaced? How long do dentures last? Several signs can provide answers to these questions.
How long do they last?
Dentures normally last between 5 and 7 years. Of course, many factors can influence whether they will have a long (or short) lifespan.
Some of these factors are simply out of your control. For example, wear can weaken your prosthesis over time, increasing the risk of breakage and injury.
What’s more, facial changes can affect your dentures’ lifespan. Like it or not, age causes our face to sag, which can prevent them from doing its job. So, they may have been due for replacement years ago, even if they’re less than 7 years old.
Fortunately, there are actions you can take to extend your dentures’ lifespan. Take a look at our article, “How to care for your dentures,” to learn more.
5 indicators that your dentures need to be replaced
Difficulty chewing
Just like your natural teeth, dentures allow you to cut and chew your food. Over time, they will lose their bite position. As a result, even the smallest bites of food can become difficult to swallow.
Stains
Dentures that have reached the end of their life tend to stain, causing your teeth to lose their shine. While this issue is mainly esthetic, it can affect your emotional well-being. A less-than-stellar smile can, among other things, lower your self-esteem.
Yellowed artificial teeth
Wear, diet and lifestyle can also cause artificial teeth to turn yellow over time. While some people take this esthetic change lightly, we understand that a beautiful smile makes all the difference when it comes to your well-being.
Discomfort and pain
Normal wear can prevent your dentures from fitting properly. This can cause tooth movement and receding gums, creating discomfort and pain. Your mouth knows you’ve lost a tooth, so even if you wear a partial prosthesis, your teeth move to fill the space. Meanwhile, your gums, having no more work to do, recede and become soft. Together, these two occurrences create discomfort and pain.
Difficult to insert and hold in place
The changes that occur in your mouth can also affect your prosthesis’ fit. That’s because the jawbones on which it rests have changed shape following tooth loss.
It’s time to change your dentures!
Do any of the above sign ring any bells? Are your dentures past their prime? Have you been wearing them for more than 5 years?
Well, where there’s smoke, there’s fire! If you answered yes to any of the previous questions, then contact us without delay!
