Ill-fitting Dentures – Reasons and Solutions

Dentures are comfortable to wear, well at least most of the time. If you’re out having drinks with your friends and out of nowhere you start to gag, it’s not the twisted whiskey sour you have in your hand – it’s your dentures. Although comfortable to wear most of the time, sometimes dentures can cause mild discomfort and even gagging. If you’re a new denture wearer, this can be quite common, but the good news is it’ll just take a little time to adjust, and soon you’ll be able to live a comfortable life with dentures. Read on to learn more about why your dentures may be uncomfortable and what you can do about gagging and how to fix any symptoms of ill-fitting dentures. 

Your mouth will be sore and swollen after getting your teeth extracted. This can make life with new dentures difficult and uncomfortable, and it will take some time to adjust. Since your gums and bones shrink after tooth extraction, your dentist may need to modify your bite, so your dentures fit better, especially if your dentures are loose and are rubbing your gums. It’s not just about adjusting the dentures, you’ll also need to get used to chewing with new dentures. 

Gagging can occur for a few reasons, like from loose dentures that move around and touch the tongue or the throat. It is also possible that dentures can cause that gagging feeling if they are too big, which can also make them get too close to the throat. Although your dentist took measurements to have your dentures made before any teeth were extracted, there is still a chance your dentures may not fit properly. Sometimes the jawbone shrinks after the extraction and can continue to shrink six to twelve months after the teeth have been removed. 

So what can you do about gagging or ill-fitting dentures? 

• Get your dentures readjusted. Adjustments usually involve filing the dentures down to fit better. 

• Get your dentures relined. Relining usually involves re-layering the base of your dentures based on your mouth impressions. This is made from either an acrylic, waxy or rubbery material. 

• Use denture adhesive to keep them in place. 

• Get dentures remade or switch to dental implants if the problem is extreme.  

If you feel uncomfortable or think your dentures are the wrong size, go back to your dentist to see if they can adjust it with soft lining material, like soft flexible silicone. Getting your dentures fitted and lined correctly will help them feel more comfortable on the gum line. Once your gums have healed, you can even use denture adhesive to help them stay in place, which can also help against irritation. 

If you feel any gagging or discomfort with your new dentures, return to your dentist so they can identify the cause and make any necessary adjustments. Once your dentures are fitted properly, you won’t have to worry about discomfort and gagging, so you can get on with enjoying life.