Most denture problems have clear solutions, but knowing what’s causing the problem in the first place is what determines the right fix. Here are the issues we see most often — and what actually helps.
Loose Fit
Dentures that once fitted well and have gradually become looser are usually experiencing the effects of bone resorption. When natural teeth are absent, the jawbone gradually reduces in volume over time, since it no longer receives the stimulation it needs to maintain its density. This changes the shape of the gum tissue the denture rests against, and the fit that was accurate when first made becomes progressively less so.
The solution depends on how much change has occurred. In earlier stages, a reline adds new material to the denture base to compensate for the changed tissue profile, restoring a closer fit. In more advanced cases, a rebase (replacing the entire base of the denture with new acrylic) may be needed. When the bone change has been significant enough that relining no longer achieves a good result, a new denture may be the appropriate recommendation.
Not every case of looseness means a new denture. That’s worth knowing, because patients sometimes assume the only option is to start again from scratch.
Sore Spots and Pressure Points
Persistent soreness under a denture, particularly in a specific localised area, is usually caused by a pressure point. This is a spot on the denture base that’s applying too much force to the underlying tissue, often as a result of an uneven bite or a small irregularity in the fit.
The treatment is a precise adjustment: identifying exactly where the pressure is occurring and relieving it by removing a small amount of material from the denture base at that point. This is done carefully in a controlled way, using pressure-indicating paste or similar to identify the exact contact area. Attempting to relieve a pressure point yourself, by sanding or filing the denture, almost always removes material in the wrong place.
In our experience, patients who attend follow-up appointments promptly when sore spots develop have significantly better outcomes than those who wait weeks to report the problem. Sore spots that are left unaddressed can develop into ulcers, which take longer to heal and make wearing the denture impossible in the meantime.
Common Problems and Solutions at a Glance
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Loose fit | Bone resorption changing gum profile over time | Reline, rebase, or new denture depending on severity |
| Sore spots | Pressure point on denture base | Professional adjustment to relieve specific pressure area |
| Clicking sound | Denture moving when biting; bite height issue | Adjustment to occlusion; reline to improve retention |
| Difficulty chewing | Uneven bite; loose fit; insufficient adaptation time | Bite adjustment; reline; continued practice with food textures |
| Speech changes | Normal adjustment period; occasionally bulk of denture | Practice; adjustment if bulk is causing specific issues |
| Staining | Food, drink, and tobacco; inadequate cleaning | Professional cleaning; improving daily cleaning routine |
| Denture breakage | Impact from dropping; material fatigue; misuse | Professional repair; in some cases replacement |
| Bad odour | Bacterial and fungal build-up from inadequate cleaning | Thorough cleaning routine; soaking; professional review |
Clicking or Noise During Chewing
A clicking sound when chewing is usually related to the denture moving on the gum tissue, either because of a loose fit or because the bite height is not quite right. When the vertical distance between the upper and lower jaws is off, the denture hits differently at different parts of the bite cycle, creating noise and often some instability.
This is addressed through occlusal adjustment (adjusting the bite) or, if the looseness is the primary problem, through relining. It’s sometimes a combination of both. Clicking that develops gradually over time in a denture that previously didn’t click is usually a sign that the fit has changed, pointing to bone and tissue changes rather than a problem with the denture’s original construction.
Denture Stomatitis and Oral Infections
Wearing dentures increases the risk of certain oral conditions. Denture stomatitis is a fungal infection (usually Candida) of the tissue under the denture, caused by inadequate denture hygiene and, often, by wearing dentures overnight without giving the tissue time to rest. It presents as redness and sometimes inflammation of the palatal tissue.
Treatment involves improved denture hygiene, removing dentures overnight, and in some cases an antifungal treatment prescribed by your dentist. It’s rarely serious, but it needs addressing rather than ignoring, since leaving the tissue inflamed affects the fit and condition of the denture.
We had a patient come in with persistent discomfort under his upper denture. He’d assumed it was a fitting problem and had asked elsewhere for the denture to be adjusted multiple times. The adjustments hadn’t helped because the underlying issue was denture stomatitis, not a fit problem. Once the infection was treated and he started removing his denture at night, the discomfort resolved quickly.
When the Problem Is the Denture Itself
Sometimes the problem isn’t the fit or the care routine — it’s the denture design. A denture that was constructed with a poor bite, incorrect tooth positioning, or inadequate extension of the base over the gum tissue will always be more difficult to wear comfortably, regardless of adjustments.
Actually, this is more common than it should be. If you’ve had ongoing problems with a denture that never really felt right from the start, it’s worth getting an independent assessment to determine whether the denture is fundamentally sound or whether it has inherent design issues. A reline won’t fix a denture that wasn’t well made in the first place.
As NHS Inform Scotland notes, you should be able to eat, speak, and generally function with your dentures in place. If that’s not happening after a reasonable adjustment period, contact your dentist.
Our team at Lux Dental Care provides adjustments, relines, repairs, and independent assessments for patients in Falkirk and the surrounding area. If you’re having problems with your dentures, call us on 01324 623 089 and we’ll assess the situation and advise on the right approach.
