Many new denture users (dentures) have questions about their dentures, but don’t know who to ask for the answer.
People often ask:
1. Q: Why do my previously perfectly fitting dentures become loose and uncomfortable in my mouth after a few years of use?
Answer: After a dentist has removed all or most of your natural teeth, your gums and jaw will begin to shrink. This is normal and happens to everyone. All dentists are aware of this problem and it is unavoidable. You can have your dentist resize or realign your dentures with an additional molded layer of acrylic plastic. The problem with this is the high cost and inconvenience. So, to save money, a practical alternative is to change clothes yourself at home. Several veneer kits are now available to meet this need to “fill in the gap” caused by normal shrinkage between dentures rubbing gums.
2. Q: What is the best “glue” or glue to use with my dentures?
Answer: There are many denture adhesives on the market today. They are available as dry adhesive powders and as adhesive pastes that are applied to the surface of the denture. You can try them all to see which one works best with your saliva chemistry. You can also try one of the newer liners that are made to self-adhere to all acrylic dentures without glue.
3. Question: What can I do to remove and prevent denture sores on my gums?
Answer: Gum sores are a common problem for most prosthetic users. They are usually caused by “high spots” in plastic dentures where it comes in contact with the delicate gum tissue. To solve this problem, tell your dentist and he can use his equipment (grinder) to remove the area where the denture is rubbing your gums. An alternative and cheaper remedy is to use one of the new always soft moldable denture coatings that you can apply yourself at home.
4. Q: What can I do to make my loose dentures fit better and be more comfortable throughout the day?
Answer: Many people solve the problem of loose and noisy dentures by experimenting with different types of “glues” for the dentures in paste or powder. They are simply spread or sprayed on top of the denture to provide a better bond between the denture and the gums. Another answer might be to use one of the available coatings made from a soft putty-like compound or one of the very fine fabrics that make the original denture fit much better.
