Your teeth play a bigger role in your digestion than you think. The ability to chew your food is essential to supporting healthy digestion and making sure your stomach doesn’t have to go into overdrive to break down your food.
This is why people with missing teeth are at risk of developing stomach issues. But if you restore your smile with dentures, can they also contribute to digestion issues like gassiness, especially if the dentures are loose?
Keep reading to find out!
Gassiness can be caused by a number of things.
A common culprit is inhaling a lot of air when you eat. This can lead to belching, feeling bloated, and flatulence. Some foods can also increase the odds of gassiness, such as those that contain gas (like carbonated drinks) or foods very high in fiber, such as beans.
Other causes can include:
Your dentures are supposed to help you chew your food properly. When getting dentures, a dentist will take a mold of your mouth and send it to a lab for a custom set that perfectly fits your mouth.
When the dentures fit well, you can confidently use them to eat, talk, and smile. But loose dentures don’t let you do that.
When your dentures are loose, you cannot control the chewing movements as well, so you’re more likely to swallow unchewed pieces of food. These are harder to break down and can cause bloating or gassiness.
Moreover, loose dentures can also lead to swallowing more air during your meal, which can also contribute to your discomfort. Some patients might even stop wearing them altogether.
If your dentures are loose, there are a few ways to fix them. You should first see Dr. Shane Wingler for a consultation so he can take a look at both your dentures and gums to make sure everything is in order.
Loose dentures could be a sign you’re dealing with bone resorption or have a poorly-made denture that does not fit your arch well. If this is the case, you may need new dentures.
But sometimes, loose dentures may be fixed with a stronger adhesive or with some minor adjustments to the prosthetic to improve how they fit on the arch.
If your dentures are loose and you cannot eat or speak properly, don’t let go of this prosthetic just yet.
See Dr. Shane Wingler for a short consultation to unlock your optimal path toward a happy and healthy smile with dentures.
Schedule an appointment at Carolina Pines Dentistry online or call us at (336) 248-5057 to find out more about our services.
