If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, getting dentures can make a massive difference in the way that you look and feel every day. However, it can also take some getting used to.
It may surprise you to find that wearing dentures can take practice and involves developing certain skills. One of them is denture adhesive; how, when, why, and how much to use of it. Here’s some information that could be helpful whether you’re new to wearing dentures, or if you’re an old pro.
The Basics of Denture Adhesive
For the most part, dentures are designed to adhere to the gums entirely through suction. However, in some situations, this isn’t quite enough.
Denture adhesive is a non-toxic substance that can give your prosthetic a little bit more support when you need it.
When Should I Rely on Denture Adhesive?
The word “rely” can be a bit problematic; as was mentioned, dentures are designed to stay secure in the mouth under most circumstances.
That said, there are some circumstances where denture adhesive could be useful:
- If you’d like a little additional stability, especially when you first start wearing your prosthetic.
- If you have dry mouth. This is common in older patients, or those on certain medications.
- Extra adhesion if you speak frequently, vigorously, or if you sing.
When is Denture Adhesive a Problem?
There are some circumstances where denture adhesive is actively a problem, like if you’re allergic to them or if you’re suffering from serious oral health problems.
However, the more common hazard is that you continue to use a prosthetic that doesn’t fit you and compensate by overusing adhesive. Over time, a combination of wear and bone reabsorption leads the fit of dentures to become less secure. This is why periodic denture relines are necessary.
If you find that you’re using denture adhesive every day, or that you need more than a pea-sized amount to hold your prosthetic in place, you should talk to your dentist about whether your dentures fit as well as they should.
About the Author
Dr. Khushboo Gandhi has always had a natural drive to help others, and after working in dentistry for the last 20 years she has felt enormously proud to be able to do that. She loves being able to use her creativity and scientific knowledge to provide her community with beautiful smiles. Dr. Gandhi initially practiced dentistry in India before moving to the U.S., where she completed the Advanced Education program for international dentists at the Oklahoma College of Dentistry. She continues her studies at the Baylor College of Dentistry and Spear Education.
If you have any questions about dentures, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (972) 532-6506.