Dental Dilemma: Can Wearing Ill-Fitting Dentures Cause Oral Cancer?

Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for tooth loss, regardless of how many natural teeth you have remaining. With them in place, you can eat, speak, and smile more confidently, which can improve your daily quality of life.

However, if your dentures have begun to feel loose or often fall out during meals or conversations, it’s essential that you contact your dentist to have them repaired or replaced. Wearing them in their current condition can contribute to oral issues that can potentially become fatal if left untreated. Continue reading to learn more about it to preserve your oral and overall health!

Why Don’t My Dentures Fit Anymore?

Your dentures were carefully customized at each step of their design and creation to fit like a glove, and it’s only natural to wonder why they’ve started to feel destabilized or easily become dislodged.

But this is normal and expected after several years of wearing your dentures. This is because your jaw starts to thin after tooth loss because there are fewer roots in place to stimulate new bone growth each time you bite down. As the bony ridges in your mouth degenerate, there’s not enough firm structure for your dentures to bond with.

What are the Risks of Ill-Fitting Dentures?

You might think of dentures that don’t fit correctly as more of an inconvenience than an oral health concern, but the truth is, most dentists don’t recommend wearing them until they’ve been adjusted. Trying to keep them in your mouth when they don’t form a tight enough suction can negatively impact your dental health in a few ways, such as:

• Gum inflammation. A loose restoration can rub raw spots in your gums that can become infected, and which make wearing it incredibly uncomfortable.
• Reduced abilities. You’re more likely to struggle to enunciate different words and easily bite or chew food when you’re struggling to keep your teeth in your mouth.
• Bite misalignment. You might inadvertently overwork your TMJ (temporomandibular joints) that anchor your jaw to your skull, which can cause it to become sore, stiff, or locked.

Can Ill-Fitting Dentures Cause Potentially Fatal Concerns?

Unfortunately, if your gums have blisters or feel raw or inflamed, you might already have developed a problem, such as an infection or periodontal disease. If left untreated, this can potentially progress into more serious health issues. For example, one study shared in 2014 found that wearing ill-fitting dentures can substantially increase the risk of developing cancer.

Thankfully, you can avoid these serious concerns by paying attention to your dental condition so you know when to contact your dentist for help. If your prosthetics feel loose or your gums feel too sensitive to wear them, they can help by relining your restoration or providing a new set to improve your oral health!

Meet the Author

Dr. Mark Gaches is passionate about helping people build and maintain the healthiest, most beautiful smiles. He earned his dental degree from the University of Southern California and has since received a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. Today, he proudly offers a comprehensive menu of services, including providing lifelike dentures, to meet all your needs under one roof. To prevent oral cancer or other issues, you can request an appointment on the website or call (918) 928-2383.