Broken Dentures: At-Home Repair or a Visit to the Emergency Dentist?

Dentures can become broken or damaged for a variety of reasons, causing you to have to go up to several weeks without a complete set of teeth. Not only can this make you feel extremely self-conscious, but it can also impede your ability to comfortably and effectively eat and speak. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be asking yourself, “Can I repair my broken dentures myself, or should I see an emergency dentist?” Read on to learn the answer!

The Most Common Reasons Dentures Become Broken

The best way to prevent damage to your dentures in Dallas is to know when they’re at the highest risk of becoming broken and taking preventive measures to keep that from happening. Here are some of the most common reasons people’s dentures get broken or damaged:

• After Being Cleaned: Right after cleaning your dentures, you’ll go to set them down on the bathroom counter. With them being wet and the surface being smooth, they can slip right off and break in two on the floor.
• Exposure to Heat: Dentures are made from materials that can warp when exposed to heat. Although it may seem intuitive to sanitize your dentures using hot water, this can damage them and alter their fit. Likewise, eating hot foods can also cause this!
• Using the Wrong Cleaning Products: Aggressive cleansers and hard-bristled toothbrushes that aren’t made for dentures can scratch and damage them.
• Poor Oral Hygiene: Without proper routine oral care, your dentures can accumulate plaque and tartar, causing them to become brittle and putting them at a higher risk of breaking.

What to Do if Your Dentures Break

If your dentures break, your first thought may be to try to repair them yourself by super gluing them back together or filling in a crack. This is not a good idea! When you try to repair your dentures yourself, it could lead to exposed scratches and fissures in your denture that collect bacteria and put you at a high risk of developing oral infections. Additionally, it could alter the fit of your dentures, making them uncomfortable to wear and causing painful effects like oral sores.

If your dentures become broken or damaged, the first thing you should do is contact your emergency dentist in Dallas. They’ll be able to see you, in many cases, the same day you call. In some cases, they may be able to repair them in the office, while other situations may warrant a replacement prosthetic. If this is the case, they’ll be able to get you a new denture in as little as two weeks so you can carry on with your daily life with confidence again.

Although it may be tempting to dodge a dental bill and DIY your way out of a broken denture, that decision is likely to cost you even more in the long-run. Instead, rely on your local emergency dentist to provide you with prompt care so you can return to your life with a complete and functional set of teeth as soon as possible.

About the Author

Dr. Arrechea brings decades of experience in dentistry to her patients, offering a wide range of services ranging from routine preventive care to treatments to replace missing teeth, like dentures. She also understands that emergencies happen when you least expect them to, which is why she offers same-day emergency dentistry. To schedule an appointment for broken dentures, visit Daily Smiles Dental’s website or call 214-233-9460.