Protecting Our Kids' Smiles

Partial dentures are designed to fill in for a few missing teeth rather than the whole mouth. They are designed to last for a long time, but sooner or later you will need to visit your dentist to have them replaced. Here are some signs that it is time to replace your partial dentures.

Difficulty chewing

Over time, your partial dentures will begin to wear down. This can be particularly true of any back teeth, as the action of chewing will slowly grind them down. When this happens it can be more difficult to chew and can even become painful. If you notice this happening, you may need your dentures replaced.

Lost teeth

Your dentures will be designed to fit around your remaining natural teeth. They will not work as well if you lose any more teeth. If there are more gaps in your mouth, your muscles will have to work harder to chew and your other teeth will start to shift position to fill the space. If this happens, you will have to have more dentures made to fit the new shape of your mouth.

Broken dentures

Damage to your dentures is a third reason to have them replaced. Dentures can become damaged for a number of reasons, for example through impact or by not being properly fitted. The first time this happens it is probably easier to repair them, but if they become weakened they will keep breaking. It will then be cheaper and easier to get a new set of dentures fitted rather than to keep repairing them.

Poor appearance

One of the most important functions of your partial dentures is to give you a healthy-looking smile. If your dentures start to wear down, your teeth can start to look unnatural. If the front of your dentures starts to wear down, you can look as if you are wearing false teeth rather than natural ones. You might then want to change your dentures simply to improve your appearance.

Dentist's advice

Finally, your dentist will probably advise you that your dentures will need replacing after a few years anyway. When they have got to the end of their natural life, make sure you return to your dentist to have them replaced.

Partial dentures do not last forever, but if you care for them properly and replace them when needed, they will improve your smile and your ability to chew for the rest of your life. Just talk to your dentist if you are still unsure. For more information, contact a company like Kurrajong Denture Clinic.