Why Do Dentures Break?

Dentures can provide many years or even decades of use, but one day they can break in half, leaving you rushing to make an appointment at a denture repair clinic. Here are three main reasons why dentures break, which might help you understand how to prevent future breakages.

1. Sudden Impacts

Many people break their dentures by dropping them onto a tiled bathroom floor while putting them in or taking them out. This kind of accident is difficult to avoid. However, you can increase the chance of your dentures surviving such an impact by keeping them moist at all times, as dentures become brittle and more likely to break if you let them dry out. Always store your dentures in water or denture-soaking solution when you are not wearing them. Take care when putting them in or taking them out of your mouth to reduce the chance of dropping them.

2. Poor Fit

Dentures that fit poorly are more likely to break in your mouth than ones that are a perfect fit. A poor fit increases the chance that they will break when you eat food that is particularly hard or chewy.

Even if your dentures fit perfectly when they are new, the fit might not remain perfect forever. It is normal for the shape of your jaw to change as you get older, which means that dentures might start to feel too big or small for your mouth. Ask your dentist to adjust the fit of your dentures to reduce the risk of a sudden breakage.

3. Long-Term Wear and Tear

One of the most common causes of broken dentures is simple wear and tear. Even if you take perfect care of your dentures, the materials they are made of can become more brittle and less flexible as they age, increasing the chance of them suddenly breaking.

Some factors that can affect how quickly dentures wear out include shifts in temperature, the acidity of the foods you eat, and the mechanical stresses that dentures endure while you wear them. You can help to reduce wear and tear by limiting the acidity of your diet and practicing good dental hygiene. If you grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist for help to quit this harmful habit and therefore reduce the amount of stress that your dentures experience on a daily basis.

For more information about dentures, talk to your dentist today.


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