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As Christmas fades into memory for another year and we dive into 2026, now is a good time for a denture check-in. The holiday season with all its decadent excesses, often exposes denture issues which have quietly been simmering below the surface until now. Christmas gatherings, with their mix of tough foods, extended wear times, social eating, and family photos, act as a natural ‘stress test’ for dentures. Denture wearers who struggled through holiday meals or felt self-conscious in photos will immediately recognise the signs. Nothing lasts forever, not even your dentures which typically have a life of 5-10 years. Now is as good a time as any to reassess your denture’s condition. A good, well-functioning denture is an investment in your health and wellbeing.
Here are five signs it’s time to replace your dentures.
1. Why are my dentures loose when I eat or talk?
Perhaps you’ve noticed your dentures clicking or moving around when you eat or talk. Or maybe you’ve found you need more adhesive to hold your dentures in place than in the past. These issues can be caused by several factors. Firstly, your mouth changes over time. With the loss of natural teeth, bone shrinkage (known as reabsorption) of the jawbone occurs, changing its shape and therefore the original snug fit of your denture. This situation can be exacerbated by ageing, poor oral care and weight loss affecting your gum tissues and your mouth’s natural contours. The natural wear and tear your denture endures from daily use, can also alter its shape and fit as the denture ages.
2. Can't chew your favourite foods? Your dentures may need replacing
Are you avoiding certain foods you used to enjoy? Or perhaps you’re having trouble chewing or when biting down. This may not have happened overnight but rather more stealthily, creeping up on you until it cannot be ignored. These are symptoms of a change in the fit of your denture. Limiting the variety of food you eat, can have nutritional consequences for your health and limit the enjoyment of eating well. When you can't chew properly, it affects more than just your meals. Research shows it can impact your thinking and memory as you age. There's also a risk of breathing harmful mouth bacteria into your lungs, which can cause a serious chest infection called aspiration pneumonia. Studies have even found that people who struggle to chew their food properly face a higher risk of dying earlier, even if they stay active and exercise regularly.iii
3. Are your dentures causing gum pain?
Loose, ill-fitting dentures that slide around in your mouth and rub against your gums, can cause friction. When dentures don't fit well or the bite is misaligned, the force from chewing is not distributed evenly across the supporting tissues, hot spots occur. The constant abrasion resulting in sore spots and gum irritation leads to a reduced ability to chew effectively, exposing you to a risk of malnutrition and oral infections due to gaps where food and bacteria can accumulate. This is especially the case for old, worn dentures with abraded surfaces allowing for bacterial growth to flourish.v
4. Why are stained or cracked dentures a health risk?
A careful inspection of your denture under good light may reveal cracks, chips, stubborn discolouration or worn-down teeth which affect your bite. If you wear a partial denture, check the clasps which hold it in place, they may be bent or weakened causing instability. A worn, discoloured denture is not just unattractive, but also a danger to your health. Bite misalignment can cause sore spots and oral tissue damage. Denture materials deteriorate over time. Worn denture surfaces can harbour harmful bacteria causing oral infections. Old or damaged dentures can affect your overall health in various ways: they change the balance of bacteria in your mouth, you may breathe in harmful germs your mouth is harbouring (particularly if worn while sleeping, which is not recommended), they can cause ongoing mouth inflammation, make it harder to chew effectively, and force you to make changes to the foods you eat.vii There is some evidence of dentures being potential reservoirs for pathogens causing aspiration pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. viii
5. Are my dentures making me look older?
Take a good look in the mirror. Has there been a rapid increase in wrinkles around your mouth lately? Or perhaps your face has a shrunken appearance making you appear older than your years? Beyond indicating a concerning decrease in your denture’s function, these are signs that your denture is not serving its very important aesthetic purpose.
Dentures help to support facial structure adding a youthful fullness to your face, particularly around the mouth area. Well-fitting dentures can help to ameliorate sagging lips and sunken cheeks, giving you a younger-looking appearance. There is no question how the ability to smile unself-consciously can enhance your social life. By restoring your ability to eat, speak, sing and laugh freely, well- made, well-fitting dentures improve communication and bolster self- esteem.x
Your guide and action plan for denture replacement in 2026
Denture problems don’t magically go away by themselves; they only get worse with time. While the life of a denture may be prolonged with relines, at some point no amount of ‘fixing up’ can restore an old, worn denture. Be proactive, save yourself time and money by addressing any denture issues while they are still manageable. If new dentures are on the agenda for you, think of the benefits. Besides restoring your smile and boosting your confidence, you’ll be enjoying your food again and maintaining your health and wellbeing.
Schedule a denture assessment with your prosthetist
Scheduling in regular denture checks ensures you deal with any problems before damage is done. A thorough denture assessment is free and without obligation at many denture clinics.
Be honest about all symptoms, even minor ones
This information will assist your prosthetist to spot problems early.
Ask about timeframes and options, including payment options
Modern denture technology has improved significantly, and there may be solutions available now that weren’t an option last time you replaced your denture. Think of the benefits a well-fitting modern denture will bring, as an important investment in your health and wellbeing.
Final word
The start of a new year is the perfect time for fresh beginnings, and that includes your dentures. If you recognised yourself in any of these five signs, don't delay—denture problems only worsen with time, becoming more expensive and uncomfortable to fix. The good news? Modern denture technology has advanced significantly, offering better fit, improved comfort, and more natural appearance than ever before. Take control of your oral health in 2026. Your future self will thank you for taking action now rather than struggling through another year—and another Christmas— with dentures that don't work properly.
References
i Singh H, Sharma S, Singh S, Wazir N, Raina R. Problems faced by complete denture-wearing elderly people living in jammu district. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014 Dec;8(12):ZC25-7. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/9900.5265. Epub 2014 Dec 5. PMID: 25654025; PMCID: PMC4316331.
ii https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197457225004471#:~:text=Denture%20fit%20and%20nutrition,comfort%2C%20and%20support%20adequate%20nutrition.
iii https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/stomatitis-oral-mucositis
iv https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286997123_Diagnosing_denture_pain_Principles_and_practi ce
v Redfern J, Tosheva L, Malic S, Butcher M, Ramage G, Verran J. The denture microbiome in health and disease: an exploration of a unique community. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2022 Aug;75(2):195-209. doi: 10.1111/lam.13751. Epub 2022 Jun 9. PMID: 35634756; PMCID: PMC9546486.
vi Ogunrinde TJ, Olawale OF. The prevalence of denture related mucosa lesions among patients managed in a Nigerian teaching hospital. Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Dec 21;37:358. doi:10.11604/pamj.2020.37.358.22194. PMID: 33796172; PMCID: PMC7992417.
vii Ogunrinde TJ, Olawale OF. The prevalence of denture related mucosa lesions among patients managed in a Nigerian teaching hospital. Pan Afr Med J. 2020 Dec 21;37:358. doi:10.11604/pamj.2020.37.358.22194. PMID: 33796172; PMCID: PMC7992417.
viii Alzamil H, Wu TT, van Wijngaarden E, Mendoza M, Malmstrom H, Fiscella K, Kopycka-Kedzierawski DT, Billings RJ, Xiao J. Removable Denture Wearing as a Risk Predictor for Pneumonia Incidence and Time to Event in Older Adults. JDR Clin Trans Res. 2021 Oct 23;8(1):23800844211049406. doi:10.1177/23800844211049406. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34693793; PMCID: PMC9772962.
ix Colvenkar S, Pathipaka S, Siva Santosh Babu D, Vijay Kumar K, Prakash R. Enhancing Facial Esthetics in a Complete Denture Patient Having Sunken Cheeks With a Hollow Fixed Cheek Plumper: A Case Report. Cureus. 2022 Jul 31;14(7):e27539. doi:10.7759/cureus.27539. PMID: 36060379; PMCID: PMC9428412.
x https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375498959_The_effect_of_dentures_on_oral_health_and_the _quality_of_life
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
