In the morning, before you have coffee, your eyes are barely open. You shuffle into the bathroom and reach for your soaking dentures. You aren’t paying attention and accidentally knock over the glass, sending your dentures straight for the ground, and one breaks.
Is this really a big deal? Should you consider broken dentures a dental emergency? In this post, you’ll learn why this situation requires immediate action.
Why Do Properly Fitting Dentures Matter?
The way your dentures feel in your mouth is important because these prosthetic teeth must allow you to eat and talk. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck having softer, less nutritious foods and being less able to communicate clearly. The uneven balance of your dentures can put apply pressure on particular points on your dentures and in your mouth.
Dentures that don’t fit properly also don’t stay in place, which means they are more prone to slipping or even coming out, which can not only be embarrassing in front of others but also increase the chances of additional damage.
What Causes Dentures to Break?
Durable and constructed of tough materials, dentures can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear. However, over time, they can become weaker with use. As the years go by, your jawbone slowly shrinks, changing pressure points on your dentures and leading to these weaker spots. Also, if you inadvertently drop the dentures, they could fracture or become damaged upon impact.
Does a Broken Denture Count as a Dental Emergency?
A damaged or broken denture certainly qualifies as a dental emergency because it could harm your gums, any remaining teeth you may have, and other oral structures. In fact, it can make everyday functions downright painful, affecting your nutrition and health as well as your confidence.
As a result, this issue should be taken seriously and addressed immediately.
What Should I Do If My Dentures Break?
First of all, you should never continue to wear broken dentures. They can create more problems like an injury to your gums and so on. Right after they break, you must call your dentist for an urgent appointment. Depending on the damage, this professional will either fix the denture in the office (in the case of minor repairs) or order new dentures for you. Most often a new set is required to ensure longer-term comfort and functioning.
In the end, you should do everything you can to prevent breaking your dentures, but if it happens, treat it as a dental emergency and contact your dentist to correct the problem and give you back prosthetic teeth you can use and feel proud of again.
About the Author
Dr. Luke Vernon’s fascination with dentistry began during his childhood when he required intensive orthodontic treatment. He even worked as an assistant at his orthodontist’s office in high school. After earning his bachelor’s degree at Indiana University, he attended the School of Dentistry there, receiving his dental doctorate. If you would like to get to know Dr. Vernon better and work with him on your teeth, you can schedule an appointment at Riviera Family Dentistry of Denver by going to our Contact Us page or calling 720-902-8080.