If you've lost all your natural teeth and wear dentures, you might think regular dental visits are no longer necessary. However, your dentist is concerned with the health of your entire mouth and not just your teeth, so they may recommend you continue to have routine dental care. Here's why this is important, even when you wear dentures.

Dentures May Get Loose As Your Mouth Changes

Your mouth slowly changes as you age. When you lose your natural teeth, you experience bone loss and that can cause your dentures to become loose. Dentures that no longer fit snugly are a problem since you may have trouble eating certain foods. You might have trouble speaking or eating unless you always use denture adhesive. When you have routine dental visits, your dentist checks the fit of your dentures and makes adjustments to them if necessary so they continue to fit properly. This ensures you can eat a healthy diet and reduces the risk of your dentures coming out when you eat or laugh.

Dentures Can Be Damaged And Need Repairs

You may not realize your dentures can be repaired when they develop small problems, and keeping up with repairs prolongs the life of your dentures and helps them fit well. Since you wear your dentures every day, it's easy to become accustomed to changes such as clicking, poor fit, small chips, or other problems. You don't have to tolerate these issues since your dentist can make repairs so your dentures are more comfortable, and they can replace missing teeth or fix chips so you have an attractive smile.

The Dentist Examines Your Mouth For Abnormalities

One of the most important reasons to see your dentist regularly is so you can be checked for signs of oral cancer, sores, or other problems with the tissues in your mouth. Your dentist may find areas on your gums that are irritated due to dentures that don't fit well. They might also find suspicious growths that need to be examined to rule out oral cancer. Medical conditions you might have, such as diabetes, can affect the health of your mouth too, so regular checks by your dentist help ensure your mouth stays healthy.

A healthy mouth and dentures that fit properly are important, especially as you get older. If you have problems with your mouth, you can't eat well and that could lead to poor nutrition or weight loss. If your dentures are not aligned properly, it could affect your bite and your jaw. This could lead to problems with the joint in your jaw. Many of these issues can be avoided through regular dental visits that check your mouth and your dentures. For more information, contact your dentist.