Dentures, commonly known as false teeth, replace natural teeth when they fall out or a dentist extracts them. In addition to eating, dentures also allow you to speak without impediment. Dentures should fit securely in your mouth, but they can come loose due to a variety of causes. The best methods of preventing dentures from moving and slipping include adhesives, best practices, consulting the problem with a your dentist and in some cases using implants if applicable.
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Stoping your dentures from moving:
Over-the-counter (OTC) denture adhesives have several forms, but creams are the most common. They generally provide the best fit and are available in a variety of flavors and strengths, depending on your needs and preferences. Creams also provide greater adhesion, or retention, than powders and wafers.
However, powders may be a better choice if you have a dry mouth, since dentures require a thin layer of saliva to hear tear gums. This problem is particularly significant for the bottom dentures. Denture powders typically work for 12 to 18 hours.
Denture wafers may be the best choice for people with narrow or flat jaws. They may also be better if you don’t like the taste and texture of other types of adhesives, since wafers usually don’t have a flavor. On the other hand, wafers also have the least retention of all adhesive options.
You should also ensure that your adhesive doesn’t contain zinc, regardless of its type. Long-term exposure to zinc poses a risk of adverse health effects, especially nerve damage. Numbness in the extremities is usually the first sign of excessive zinc.
Application & products to use
Clean your dentures with a specialized brush before applying the adhesive. Soak them in a cleaning solution according to the instructions and dry the dentures thoroughly with a towel.
Applying cream: apply it in small amounts. This will typically be three of four dots or a narrow strip along the bottom of the denture’s inner lining. Add additional dots to the center of the inner lining as needed to ensure a tight fit, while avoiding the edge of the dentures. It’s better to apply too little cream and add more later, rather than using too much cream to begin with.
Using powder: place the dentures over a flat surface and hold the container of powder directly over it. Carefully shake or tap the container to evenly cover the entire surface of the dentures where they will touch your gums. You should only need a thin layer to provide a secure fit. Remove any excess powder from your dentures by turning them upside down and tapping them.
If you’re using wafers, cut one into a strip matching the shape of your dentures’ gum line. Place the strip over your dentures, and trim the overlapping portions to ensure a good fit. Secure the wafer onto the denture inside the gum line.
Regardless of the specific adhesive you choose, you should always thoroughly rinse your mouth out with water before applying dentures. This will minimize the food that can get caught between your gums and the dentures, which can loosen their grip. Place the dentures into your mouth and press them into place by holding them firmly against your gums. Bite down for several seconds to ensure the adhesive bonds to your gums well enough to last for the entire day. Apply additional adhesive during the day if your dentures start to slip.
Practices
Clean your dentures each day, preferably in the morning. Use warm water and a brush with soft bristles specifically designed for this purpose. You must also use a cleaner made for dentures, rather than household cleaners or toothpaste. These materials have abrasives that will damage dentures.
Best food items for dentures:
Eat softer foods if your dentures tend to become dislodged while eating. Common choices include the following:
- Applesauce
- Eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Sherbet
- Smoothies
- Soup
- Yogurt
You can also try taking smaller bites and chewing on both sides of your mouth at the same time, especially if your bottom dentures often slip.
Always take your dentures out before going to sleep. They can reduce your cheekbone volume and density if you wear them all the time, which can dramatically alter the shape of your face and impair the fit of your dentures. Taking your dentures out each night it’s thus essential for giving your mouth the rest it needs. Store your dentures overnight in a mixture of cleaner and warm water. Never keep them in hot water, which can cause them to warp over time.
Living with dentures:
Many people experience difficulty in speaking while wearing dentures, especially at first. Speak slowly and carefully. By focusing on clearly enunciating each word, talking too quickly can dislodge your dentures. Bite down firmly and swallow to shift your dentures back into place if they start to slip while talking. You should also remember the specific words or sounds that cause your dentures to slip, and practice saying them in private.
Ill-fitting dentures can cause soreness and other types of discomfort, usually while eating. It’s also possible for them to become loose over time, even when you take good care of them. Schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately to adjust your dentures if either of these things occurs. You should also see your dentist at least once a year to check their fit, whether they’re causing you any problems.
Discuss problems and possible causes with your dentist. Loose dentures may require your dentist to reline them, especially if they’re always loose. This process involves adding another layer of material to the dentures, which dentures will mold to your governments. Relining is the most common solution to loose dentures provided there in otherwise good condition, which includes both temporary and permanent relining.
Dentists may recommend you get a new pair of dentures if they feel relining won’t help. Furthermore, you’ll typically need a new pair of dentures every five years or so, no matter how well you care for them. Talk to your dentist about new dentures after this period of time, whether you think you need them or not. There are many new technologies that have been introduced in last few years such as digital dentures that can make the process of getting new dentures a lot more affordable, faster and easier.
Implants
Implant-supported dentures, also known as overdentures, are a recent advance in prosthodontics. This alternative to conventional dentures doesn’t require regular adjustments or adhesive. Overdentures are removable, but still more secure than dentures because they have artificial teeth that attach to titanium posts. These posts are fused to your jawbone, allowing them to behave like the root of a real tooth. Instead of reducing bone density dentures, these posts can actually stimulate bone growth.
Types of over dentures:
Dentists classify overdentures into two major types, including bar-retained and ball-retained dentures. Bar-retained dentures have a thin metal bar that wraps around your jawline. A series of clips attaches this bar to two to five implants along your jawbone. Ball-retained dentures use implants with metal attachments that fit into the denture.
Dental implants may be a good option for you if your dentures continue to slip, despite your best efforts to prevent this from occurring. They’re more expensive than normal dentures, but implants also remain secure and look more like real teeth. Your dentist will have more information on implants, including the cost of the surgery.
FAQ
Can your dentures be repaired?
A dentist can usually restore dentures to their original fit, provided it’s only slightly off and the dentures have no major breaks. The cost can vary greatly depending on the individual dentist and the specific repairs your dentures require. Discuss with your dentist whether the cost of denture repair makes more sense than ordering new digital dentures. A dentistry is often able to offer denture financing and membership discounts to help cover the costs of both options.
Why do bottom dentures become loose?
When a dentist extracts a tooth, or it falls out naturally, the bone around the missing tooth may shrink over time. As a result, the bony architecture in that area may not be sufficient to support a denture. In this case, the dentures can become loose because they’re no longer sitting over a solid foundation.
What is the easiest way to keep my dentures in place?
OTC denture adhesive is usually the best way to keep dentures in place. While retention is an important factor in selecting adhesive, you should also consider additional factors such as its flavor and the convenience of applying it.
How long do dentures last?
Most dentures should last between three and eight years, depending on their design and material. Virtually all dentures will show somewhere after three years, even if they don’t require replacement at that time.
Summary
You can solve many problems with moving dentures through the proper selection and use of adhesives. However, you may still need to make some changes in your lifestyle to ensure your dentures remain secure. Dentures also require regular maintenance and repair to keep them from slipping. Implants are more secure than regular dentures, but they’re also more expensive.
Schedule your appointment today to discuss your denture options. You can also learn more about caring for your dentures from our treatment coordinators who offer dentures Houston Tx.