When do You Need Denture Adhesive for Your Fake Teeth?
If you have fake teeth and wonder whether denture adhesive is needed, you're one of many people -- perhaps the majority of people -- who associate dentures with a specialised adhesive. Do you really need to use denture adhesive for your fake teeth? Read below to find out three common situations when you need it -- and when you don't!
If Your Fake Teeth Are New
If your fake teeth are new, you'll likely have a transition period during which your mouth just doesn't feel quite right. This feeling is entirely normal, and will fade over the coming weeks and months. It's particularly common for the lower dentures to feel odd during the adjustment period. The lower dentures don't have the advantage of a large area to suction to like the upper ones do.
If you're ready to feel normal again whilst wearing your fake teeth, denture adhesive can be quite helpful. Just a thin coating of adhesive can lend extra stability to the fake teeth. You might need the adhesive only on the lower dentures, although it's fine to use it on both if you wish.
Whilst Eating Challenging Foods
The foods that might be termed "challenging" for denture wearers can include:
- Very hard foods: examples include some types of lollies, raw carrots, and crusty rolls
- Chewy foods: examples include some types of lollies, dried fruit, and cheese chunks
- Stringy foods: examples can include celery and rhubarb
Any of the foods above can loosen fake teeth, and possibly even cause them to be entirely dislodged. You can use a denture adhesive prior to eating any of the more challenging foods, and this can improve your confidence about eating normally. However, it's still wise to take small bites and to chew gently even with your denture adhesive in place.
If Speaking is Difficult
It's quite common for denture wearers to struggle with speaking normally, particularly whilst the fake teeth are new. You'll grow accustomed to speaking with the dentures quickly. However, if it's troubling you, this is another situation in which denture adhesive can help. A thin coating of denture adhesive may be especially helpful on the upper dentures, since the tongue uses the roof of the mouth to make many sounds.
When Denture Adhesive Won't Help
In certain circumstances, denture adhesive simply can't help. If your fake teeth weren't fitted correctly to begin with, no amount of adhesive can solve the problem , so see your dentist promptly. If you've had fake teeth for years and you're suddenly having trouble with shifting, denture adhesive can only provide a very short-term fix. It's likely that the dentures require refitting at your dentist's office.
If you need help with your dentures -- especially the kind of help that adhesive won't provide -- contact your dentist today There's no reason that your fake teeth can't feel just as comfortable as your real ones with your dentist's help!
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