What are most common upper denture problems?

Common upper dentures problems

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There are a variety of problems you could experience with traditional dentures or even partial dentures. You may experience one of these or all of them - every person is different. Fortunately, there are solutions for each one.

Denture slippage

While it is less common with maxillary dentures than with their mandibular counterparts, the upper plate can still move, become loose, or slip out of place occasionally. It is less common for the upper arch because you should have suction between the denture and the palate (the roof of your mouth) that helps keep the appliance in place.

Trouble eating and speaking

Eating and talking do take some practice with new dentures. At first, you may find you have a speech impediment like a lisp, or you may feel like you have too much saliva in your mouth (or not enough), which makes it harder to speak correctly.

Practice speaking by reading aloud to your favorite book or singing your favorite songs. Eating with dentures is also different from it was with your natural teeth. Both take plenty of practice to get used to.

If you have a palateless denture, however, this is not a common problem. We will mention those in the next section.

Gagging

Patients with a moderate gag reflex may also experience difficulty wearing dentures. The denture will extend far back into the mouth, and some people feel like it gets too close to the throat. Individuals with severe gag reflexes may not be able to tolerate traditional dentures.

Denture sores

It is safe to say that every single person who gets dentures will experience at least one denture sore during the adjustment period. You should eat soft foods during this time to help reduce sore spots.

You will need to return to your dental office a few times to have the dentures adjusted so that they are not rubbing too hard in one spot or to remove sharp spots. Denture sores typically cease after several adjustments, but can occasionally recur over the course of your lifetime. Most can be solved with minor denture adjustments.

Cleaning issues

A common mistake new complete denture wearers make is thinking they do not need to pay close attention to their oral hygiene or perform regular cleaning maintenance on their dentures. They are fake teeth, after all.

However, neglecting to take good care of your dentures and oral cavity can lead to numerous issues, including fungal infections. Additionally, failing to perform proper denture care will cause them to wear out more quickly.

How to make upper dentures fit better?

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

Dentures should eventually fit comfortably in your mouth, and there are several steps you can take to expedite the transition period.

If you have loose-fitting dentures, consider using a denture adhesive to help keep them in place. There are adhesive pastes or strips available at your local drugstore. The strips can also provide some comfort if you have a sore spot. You will also need to have several adjustment appointments after you get a new pair of dentures. It is not uncommon to revisit the dentist a few times during the first few months of wearing dentures.

Over time, your denture may become looser than it was initially. This is common because the bone is constantly remodeling and reshaping itself. A nearby denture repair service can reline the denture to ensure it fits more snugly against your gum tissue.

Lastly, if you cannot tolerate your denture due to a gag reflex, you may be able to get a palateless denture. These dentures resemble the lower denture more closely because they are in a U-shape.

The only caveat to this is that you may need dental implants to help keep the denture in place since the suction from the soft palate will no longer be present. Implants will keep the dentures stable.

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