Taking care of your dentures isn’t just about keeping them clean. It’s about making sure they fit well, feel right, and support your day-to-day life. In this guide, you’ll find simple, real-world advice for keeping your dentures working like they should. If you’re living with dentures in Beverly Hills, this article will help you know when to get help, how to avoid problems, and how to keep your smile looking and feeling great.
Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr has been serving patients across Beverlywood, The Flats, Trousdale Estates, and Beverly Hills Gateway for over 20 years. With a background in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and professional affiliations with the ADA, CDA, and AACD, she combines technical know-how with a deep understanding of aesthetics. At Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry, she’s built a practice where denture care is more than a one-time service-it’s part of a trusted, long-term relationship.
Why Do Dentures Need Adjustments Over Time?
If your denture used to feel great but doesn’t anymore, you’re not imagining it. Over time, your gums and jawbone naturally change. This can make your dentures feel loose, slip when you talk, or create sore spots. That doesn’t mean your denture is bad. It just means your mouth is changing.
Patients from places like The Flats and Beverlywood often come in thinking they’ll need a brand new set, but most of the time, a small adjustment is all it takes. Dr. Hanam-Jahr can fine-tune the base, relieve pressure points, and rebalance your bite so things feel natural again. It’s a quick fix that makes a big difference.
Common Signs Your Dentures Need Repair
Dentures go through a lot. Eating, cleaning, dropping them in the sink-it adds up. A small chip or crack might not seem like a big deal, but it can throw off your whole bite or cause discomfort fast.
Keep an eye out for things like:
- Cracks or visible stress lines
- Loose or missing teeth on the denture
- Clicking sounds when you eat
- A fit that suddenly feels off
- Clasps on partials that stop holding like they used to
A lot of patients in Trousdale Estates and Beverly Hills Gateway wait until it gets painful, but early repairs are faster and cheaper. Skip the glue and home kits-Dr. Hanam-Jahr uses professional tools and materials to get your denture back in shape, safely and correctly.
Daily Habits That Extend Denture Life
The best dentures in the world still need good care. The more consistent your daily habits, the better your denture will hold up. In Century City and nearby neighborhoods, Dr. Hanam-Jahr teaches patients how to keep dentures feeling clean and fitting well.
Here’s what helps most:
- Brush with a soft-bristle denture brush daily
- Soak them overnight in the right solution
- Never use boiling water (seriously-it warps them)
- Store them safely when not in use
- Call if something feels even slightly off
People often ask how long dentures last. The truth is, with good care, most last 5 to 10 years. But how they feel during those years depends on how well you maintain them. Regular checkups help catch small changes before they become bigger problems.
How Repairs Compare to Replacement
It’s a question we get a lot: “Do I need a whole new denture, or can we fix this one?” And the answer depends on what’s going on. Sometimes all it takes is a small reline or adjustment. Other times, a full replacement makes more sense.
Here’s a quick look:
| Concern | Repair or Reline | Replacement |
| Feels a bit loose | Reline | Not needed |
| Lost one artificial tooth | Repair | Not needed |
| Cracked the base | Repair if minor | Replace if major |
| Getting frequent sore spots | Reline or adjust | Replace if it keeps happening |
| Over 5–7 years old | Maybe reline | Often ready for replacement |
If you’re unsure, just ask. Dr. Hanam-Jahr will explain the pros and cons clearly and let you decide without pressure. We always aim to fix what works, not push what doesn’t.
Why Early Repairs Make a Big Difference
A little issue can turn into a big one faster than you think. A tiny chip might seem harmless, but over time it can shift your bite, hurt your gums, or even lead to an infection. We hear it all the time from patients in Beverly Hills Gateway and Century City-they wish they had come in sooner.
Dr. Hanam-Jahr offers quick, in-office evaluations and most minor repairs can be handled without sending your denture off to a lab. That means less waiting, less worrying, and more comfort.
Don’t wait until you can’t chew, speak, or smile comfortably. Getting ahead of the problem is always the easier, less expensive path.
Take the Next Step in Comfort and Confidence
Living with dentures doesn’t mean putting up with discomfort or uncertainty. If something feels off, or if it’s been more than a year since your last checkup, let us help.
Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr and her team at Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry offer honest advice, expert repairs, and gentle care tailored to your needs. We help people from Century City, Trousdale Estates, and The Flats get back to smiling with ease. Schedule your consultation today and let’s take care of your dentures-so they can keep taking care of you.
Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry
435 N Bedford Dr #414, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-2088
https://mybeverlyhillsdentist.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes dentures to feel loose over time?
People often blame the denture itself, when the real issue is usually the bone and gums underneath slowly changing shape.
What they should ask instead: How does my jawbone change after losing teeth, and what does that do to my denture?
- Immediate Insight: After teeth are removed, the jawbone naturally shrinks (resorbs) because it no longer gets stimulation from tooth roots. As the ridge thins and changes shape, a denture that once fit well starts to feel loose, rock, or rub.
- Supporting Context: The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes that tooth loss leads to progressive bone loss in the jaw, which affects how removable dentures sit and function over time; Johns Hopkins and similar academic centers emphasize that this is expected physiology, not a “bad” denture.
- Deeper Implication: Regular checkups and timely relines or remakes allow your dentist to adapt the denture to your changing jaw, protecting comfort, chewing efficiency, and facial support for the long term.
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How do I know if it’s time for a new denture or just a repair?
It’s hard to tell whether you need a simple adjustment, a reline, or a full replacement, and no one wants to overspend or live with a denture that doesn’t work.
What they should ask instead: What are the signs my denture is too far gone for another repair?
- Immediate Insight: Age, comfort, and how often it breaks all matter. If your denture is 7–10 years old, feels loose or painful despite adjustments, or needs frequent repairs, it’s often more effective to replace it than to keep patching it.
- Supporting Context: The American Dental Association and public‑health sources point out that changes in bone and gums, plus wear of the denture teeth and base, gradually reduce performance; at some point, repairs and relines can’t restore ideal function or hygiene.
- Deeper Implication: A comprehensive exam lets your dentist compare the cost and benefit of another repair or reline versus a new appliance, helping you choose the option that best supports chewing, speech, and tissue health over the next decade.
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Are DIY denture repairs safe?
Quick at‑home fixes are tempting, but they can easily cause permanent damage or health risks.
What they should ask instead: Is it okay to glue a denture back together at home?
- Immediate Insight: DIY repairs are not recommended. Household glues and non‑dental materials can be toxic, irritate your mouth, and permanently distort the denture so it no longer fits or can’t be repaired properly.
- Supporting Context: Mayo Clinic and Harvard Health warn that at‑home denture repairs can introduce rough edges, change how teeth come together, and trap bacteria, leading to sores or infections; only dental‑grade materials and lab techniques preserve fit and safety.
- Deeper Implication: Calling your dentist for a professional repair, often done quickly and at reasonable cost, protects your oral tissues and the longevity of the appliance, instead of turning a fixable crack into a full remake.
Citations:
- Mayo Clinic – Denture care & repair FAQs:
- Harvard Health – Denture safety and maintenance discussions:
How often should I get my dentures checked?
Many people only come in when something hurts or breaks, missing the chance to catch problems early and extend the life of their denture.
What they should ask instead: How do regular checkups keep my dentures working their best?
- Immediate Insight: An annual denture checkup is a good rule of thumb, even if everything “feels fine.” Sooner is wise if you notice looseness, sore spots, difficulty chewing, or speech changes.
- Supporting Context: The American Dental Association and Cleveland Clinic highlight that gums and bone gradually remodel after tooth loss; yearly visits let your dentist spot pressure areas, infections, or fit issues before they become painful or cause tissue damage.
- Deeper Implication: Routine exams help keep small problems small, your dentist can adjust, reline, or professionally clean the denture early, preserving comfort, function, and overall oral health for years.
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