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Denture Adhesives and Loose Dentures

When the subject of dentures comes up, people often think of commercials for denture adhesives. These commercials imply that everyone uses adhesives to keep their dentures in and that denture wearers run the risk of having dentures fall out at embarrassing times!

When considering dentures, it is important to remember that they are custom-made to fit your mouth precisely and comfortably. In fact, dentures that fit properly do not require denture adhesives to stay in place. One exception to this rule may be when your dentures are new. Your dentist may suggest using an denture adhesive while you get used to the denture.

As time goes on and your mouth changes with age, you may find that your dentures must be replaced. Your dentist will provide advice on this, which is one reason to continue regular checkups after you begin wearing dentures.

A loose denture is a sign that it no longer fits your mouth or works properly. If your dentures become loose, you should see your dentist immediately. Continuing to wear a poorly-fitting denture will cause irritation to your gums and mouth, and can lead to infection over time. If you persist in wearing dentures that do not fit, your mouth may change shape and your ability to eat the foods you want and like will diminish.

A tip to keep in mind: you may feel your denture slip when you laugh, smile, or cough, particularly when your dentures are new. This slippage is caused by air suddenly getting under your denture base and moving it. The longer you wear your denture and become more comfortable with it, the better able you will be to control its movement in these situations.

While many of us remember grandparents or other older friends and neighbors whose dentures did indeed slip or require denture adhesives, today's dentures benefit from advances in dental and materials technology. Dentists work with respected laboratories where trained technicians make your personal dentures to the specifications that your dentist has provided. A good fit is crucial to enjoying life with your new dentures, and to letting others continue to enjoy your smile!

by Thomas Warner, D.D.S.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Find A Dentist To Help You With Denture Repair

A frequent cause of a broken, chipped, or cracked denture is the impact of dropping it on the bathroom tile or into a sink. Sometimes damage to dentures happens when they are left in a place where children or pets are able to get at them let a dentist help you with that denture repair.

Dentures should be handled and stored carefully once out of the mouth to avoid chipping, breaking or damaging the pink denture base or the denture teeth.

If your denture is broken or damaged, visit a dentist to make sure that the denture repair provides the best denture fit, function, appearance and oral health.

Do-it-yourself denture repair can cause more damage than good to your denture and result in your needing a new denture. Do-it-yourself denture repair also can be very destructive to the gum tissues and bone ridges and cause irritation and sores.

A dentist has the training and qualifications, as well as the right instruments, supplies, and tools best suited to properly perform a denture repair.

If your denture is broken, keep any broken pieces of the denture. To prevent distortion of the denture, store the pieces in room temperature water until your dental appointment. The dentist will examine you and the denture and determine how to best restore the denture to its original condition.

Some denture repair, such as replacing a denture tooth, can be accomplished quickly, often in-office on the same day. More complicated breaks, such as a fracture of an edge that rests on the soft tissue inside the lips or cheeks, may involve obtaining impressions of your mouth and having the denture sent to a dental laboratory for the denture repair.

The ability to properly repair a denture depends upon the extent of denture damage, the past home care of the denture, the age of the denture and the fit of the denture at the time it was broken.

To maintain the best possible oral health and to avoid causing more damage to your denture, see a dentist for evaluation and denture repair. Often, home denture repairs require more extensive and costly reconstruction later.

by Denise J. Fedele, D.M.D., M.S.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.