Have you received your first set of dentures? If so, you may find yourself having difficulties adjusting to using your dentures while talking and eating. Denture adhesives may be the solution to keep your dentures in place. Here are four things to keep in mind as you consider purchasing or using a denture adhesive.
AN ADHESIVE CAN PREVENT YOUR DENTURES FROM MOVING
Have you ever wondered why dentures are able to stay attached to the roof of your mouth during normal wear? The dentures are actually held to the roof of your mouth with saliva. The dentures will stick to the surface because both the tissue and the dentures are wet, which creates a suction that holds them in place.
Some people may need some additional help creating that suction with the dentures. That is where a denture adhesive can come in handy. You may not form enough saliva for the bond to work as intended, so a denture adhesive acts just like saliva would.
There is a balance to how much adhesive material is needed to keep dentures in place. Not using enough adhesive will not get the job done at all, but you can always add more until the fit feels just right. Applying too much adhesive will cause the paste to spill over the dentures and go in your mouth. With enough practice, you'll learn the proper amount that you need to get the dentures to stick properly.
AN ADHESIVE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR DRY MOUTH
Since dentures require saliva to form that bond, you may run into issues with dry mouth. You may not initially have a problem with dry mouth after getting your dentures, but it can get worse as you get older and your body has difficulties producing saliva.
Fortunately, denture adhesives are just one solution to help you deal with dry mouth. Another solution you can start is making basic changes to your diet. Start drinking more water on a regular basis to get more liquids in your body. You may find that simply staying hydrated helps your mouth produce more saliva. If not, you can always use a denture adhesive to give you some additional help.
While saliva is normally needed to hold dentures in place, the adhesive does that job so that your saliva doesn't have to. The saliva will then go to other places in your mouth to prevent those places from becoming dry.
AN ADHESIVE CAN BUILD CONFIDENCE
Having your smile restored with dentures can really help boost your self-esteem. However, if your dentures slip you may find yourself feeling embarrassed if other people notice. This puts you in a tough situation where you have your dentures but feel hesitant to speak around others in fear of the dentures slipping.
Consider using a denture adhesive to help build confidence when wearing your dentures around other people. The adhesive will prevent an embarrassing mishap where the dentures fall down when talking, which will give you peace of mind.
AN ADHESIVE WON'T FIX POOR FITTING DENTURES
Don't make the mistake of using a denture adhesive when your dentures actually need to be repaired or replaced. The gum tissue can change over the years, which prevents your dentures from fitting as snugly as they once did. While an adhesive may be a quick fix, it is not the long-term solution to these problems.
Dr. Gregory B. Halls is there to help with all your denture-related needs. Their professional dental staff has specialized in dentures and they can create a new mold for your dentures that will fit against the current shape of your gum line. Give them a call today.
