Between causing serious discomfort and slipping out of place at inopportune moments, ill-fitting dentures can be troublesome enough on their own. But did you realize they could potentially be a life-threatening issue? Research indicates that people with ill-fitting dentures could be more likely to develop oral cancer. To help you protect your oral and overall health, here’s what you need to know about this connection.
Ill-Fitting Dentures and Oral Cancer
There have been multiple studies examining the potential relationship between dentures and cancer development. One meta-analysis conducted in 2014 reviewed several papers covering this topic while paying particularly close attention to the fit of the dentures. The analysis ultimately found that ill-fitting dentures were linked to a significantly higher risk for oral cancer.
There is currently no evidence that ill-fitting dentures are a direct cause of oral cancer, but they can still be a contributing factor. Dentures that don’t fit properly can irritate the gums and eventually lead to inflammation. This is significant because constant inflammation can damage the cells and make cancer more likely to occur.
How Do You Know If Your Dentures Don’t Fit Correctly?
Given the life-threatening risks associated with ill-fitting dentures, it’s important to be able to recognize the issue so that it can be addressed quickly. There are several warning signs that may indicate that your dentures no longer fit properly, including:
- Red sore spots on the gum tissue.
- Experiencing discomfort or pain while chewing your food.
- A prosthesis that keeps slipping out of place when you speak.
- Constant bad breath or an unpleasant taste (both of which can be a consequence of food or bacteria becoming trapped under your loose dentures).
What Should You Do About an Ill-Fitting Denture?
If you believe that your denture no longer fits as it should, you should make arrangements to see your dentist as soon as you can. In many cases, they may be able to correct the problem by making adjustments to the base of the denture. If your dentures are particularly old or damaged, they might recommend replacing them with a new prosthesis that has been customized for your unique mouth.
In short, ill-fitting dentures can be a more serious issue than many people realize. If you want to keep your risk of developing oral cancer to a minimum, then it is essential to have your ill-fitting dentures adjusted or replaced by a trained dental professional as promptly as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Eduart Shkurti attended dental school at the University of Tirana in Albania, and he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Southern California. He is currently a member of the Astoria County Dental Society and other professional organizations. At ED Family Dental, he offers fully personalized dentures as a solution for extensive tooth loss. If you’ve lost more or all of your teeth and are interested in replacing them with dentures, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Shkurti at his practice in Astoria by visiting his website or calling (718) 806-1662.