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My dentures keep breaking – what should I do?

broken dentures on black background

If you have clicked on this article, the chances are you have experienced one too many frustrating trips to the denture clinic with your broken dentures, but do not quite know what your best option is to resolve this.  Should you continue to fix your dentures? Or should you finally take the leap, and get a completely new set altogether? Well, the answer could be either – but first, and most importantly, it is critical to understand the underlying cause of your broken dentures.

What is causing my broken dentures?

There are many factors that can cause your dentures to break – but without a doubt, the most common (and frustrating) cause of breakages comes from accidental dropping or mishandling of your dentures.  This will often occur when the dentures have been removed for cleaning and get accidentally dropped onto the floor or the sink, resulting in a frustrating visit to the denture clinic!

Another common cause of broken dentures is ‘fracturing’. This most commonly occurs in the mouth when they are in use and is often experienced whilst eating.  There are a few possible reasons for these denture fractures, one being that due to wear and tear, your dentures no longer fit as accurately and appropriately as they once did, so when pressure is applied during biting and chewing, the improperly fitting denture cannot handle this pressure so either bend or break altogether!

It is also important to remember that soft lining dentures are made with far less quantity of hard acrylic, and therefore are more prone to breakage.

How to prevent your dentures from breaking

Whilst it Is impossible to prevent all risk of broken dentures, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce the risk of damage and keep them in the best condition possible.

  • Handle your dentures with care!  Remember, dentures are fragile by nature and can break easily.  Be gentle whilst handling your dentures, and always hold them over a soft surface when cleaning them to reduce the risk.
  • Clean them regularly! All dentures are prone to bacteria build-up and staining – so make sure you are cleaning them regularly and thoroughly.  Use a soft-bristled denture brush to clean them and avoid any abrasive cleaning products that can damage the surface of your dentures.
  • Schedule regular denture check-ups!  Your dentures change over time – and so do your jaw bones, so regular check-ups are vital to allow any adjustments to be made before issues become serious.

How to identify broken dentures

Identifying broken dentures can be a bit of a challenge – especially given that the signs of damage can drastically vary depending on the type or severity of the damage – however, there are some common signs that your dentures may be damaged that you can look out for.

  • Changes in the fit of your dentures:  If you are noticing changes to both the fit and comfort of your dentures, there is a high chance they are damaged or broken.
  • Visible cracks or damage:  Regularly inspect your dentures to identify any cracks, chips, or other signs of damage.
  • If you have noticed increasing difficulty with speaking or eating, there is a chance your dentures no longer fit you correctly and require adjustment.
  • Soreness of the mouth: increased sore spots in the mouth would indicate that your dentures are not fitting you correctly – which could be caused by damage.

Is it time to replace my dentures?

There is inevitably a time when the best solution is to replace your dentures with a whole new set entirely.  This may be because they just don’t fit you as they used to, or you are no longer happy with how your dentures look. 

There is no set rule on how often you should replace your dentures, as aforementioned, you may not be happy with how they look after a relatively short period of time and want a change – but as a general rule, you should aim to replace your dentures every five years or so.

Signs it’s time to think about new dentures

Here are some simple signs to look out for when considering purchasing new dentures:

  • Wear and tear of the front and back teeth – leading to difficulty chewing and a more ‘false look’.
  • Repeated breakage and frustrating visits to the denture clinic. Remember, once your denture has been broken, they are much weaker and likely to experience repeat breakage.
  • New sore spots appearing around your mouth, indicating a poor fit.

Find out more about our denture services

Read about the different types of false teeth we offer at First Class Denture Clinics. You’ll also find an indication of costs and a helpful video that shows you the process of having new dentures designed and fitted.

If you’d like to book a consultation about new dentures, please call us on 0115 646 2023 today. Your first appointment will be FREE with no obligation to proceed. Or, you can ask us a question using our quick online form.