If you’ve had dentures for any amount of time, you may have had to reline them because they don’t fit as well as they used to. An ill-fitting prosthetic can obviously be irritating, but recent research suggests that it may also have serious negative effects on your health, and may even have connections to an increased cancer risk.
As it turns out, there may be more reasons than the obvious to make sure your dentures fit properly. Here’s what you should know.
The History Of Dentures and Oral Cancer
There have been theories about the connection between dentures and oral cancer for decades, with there being speculation that dentures could trap carcinogens like alcohol or tobacco against the gums. However, most studies have found that there’s no substantial link between the two.
What Studies Say About Dentures And Oral Cancer
This has been the conventional wisdom for a very long time, but a new meta-analysis of research conducted in Sydney, Australia has recontextualized this data.
The researchers analyzed the available data and found that there was a slight but statistically significant link between oral cancer and dentures. While the risks were minor among the typical patient, it was found that poorly fitting dentures in particular led to a considerable increase in the development of oral cancer.
In particular, it was found that people who consistently wore ill-fitting dentures were as much as four times more likely to suffer cancer than people who did not wear dentures.
Offsetting Denture-Related Cancer Risk
Of course, this is just a single meta-analysis. While the data is comprehensive and persuasive, the medical consensus is still that dentures and oral cancer aren’t directly related. That said, it probably wouldn’t hurt to consider this emerging data in caring for your oral health.
First, you should make sure your dentures fit as well as they possibly can. Be sensitive to any signs that your gums have shrunk, like a shifting prosthetic or needing to overuse denture adhesive. If you worry that your dentures don’t fit well, you should be sure to talk to your dentist about whether you may need a reline or replacement.
You should also watch out for carcinogens, like smoking or alcohol use. These are the key components behind the cancer risk associated with dentures, so by avoiding them, you can improve your long-term health outcomes.
About Our Practice
At Granger Dental Group, you can expect dental appointments unlike any you’ve had before. We know that sometimes dentist’s appointments can feel like a chore, which is why we work hard to make sure that you’re going to be completely comfortable for the duration of your stay with us. We believe that a visit to the dentist shouldn’t just be a way to better your oral health—it should be an opportunity to pamper yourself.
If you have any questions about dentures, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (574) 277-4235.