If your denture suddenly breaks, it can feel like a dental disaster! After all, dentures are like lifelines for patients who wear them, helping them with eating, speaking, and keeping a confident smile. But does a broken denture count as a dental emergency, or can it wait? Read on to see when a broken denture requires action and learn tips for coping until your prosthetic can be repaired.
Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?
Patients who wear dentures often need them for many necessary daily tasks like eating and speaking. So, when the prosthetic breaks, it can cause a major disruption to their quality of life. While broken partial dentures are less severe, full dentures that have cracked or had teeth broken can be serious.
Not only will this be disruptive, but it can also be dangerous. Many patients try to put their dentures back in, or worse, attempt to fix them themselves. This can lead to damaged gums, pain, irreparable damage to their prosthetics, and even illness if toxic chemicals like superglue are used.
What Are Common Causes of Denture Breakage?
Despite the durability of dentures while they’re in your mouth, they can be surprisingly fragile in the right circumstances. Here are some of the ways dentures commonly break:
Dropping
Even a short drop onto a hard surface could crack or chip your appliance. So, when you’re cleaning them or performing any type of maintenance, be sure to put down a towel to absorb the impact.
Biting Hard Foods
Just like regular teeth, chewing on the wrong kinds of food can wear down or break your prosthetics. So, avoid ice, hard nuts, and other foods that can cause extra stress on your prosthetics.
Using Them as Tools
It may seem convenient to tear open packages or open bottles with your dentures, but this has a high likelihood of causing them to break. Instead, always use the right tool for the task at hand, whether it’s a bottle opener or a pair of scissors.
Natural Wear and Tear
No matter how good your care of your dentures is, there will be a day when they naturally wear down and break on their own. The older your prosthetics get, the more likely you’ll experience some kind of crack, chip, or break. When this happens, it’s best just to replace them.
What Do I Do If My Denture Breaks?
If your denture breaks, stay calm, collect the pieces, and call your dentist as soon as possible. They may be able to see you the same day, but if not, you’ll need to avoid wearing it until your appointment. In the meantime, eat soft foods, continue to brush your gums, cheeks, and tongue, and avoid trying to fix it yourself.
While not every broken denture is a full-blown dental emergency, it’s best to act quickly, especially if the damage is severe or causing pain. Reach out to your dentist to discuss the best way forward, and you’ll be back to enjoying a confident smile in no time!
About the Practice
If you need help with your dentures in Mineola, you’ll find skilled experts at Meadowbrook Dental Care. Our team strives to be more than a dental office, offering friendly service and treatment plans that are customized for your unique smile. Call (516) 284-1234 to schedule a denture consultation or visit our website to explore a full menu of our treatments and services.