While it is possible to wear comfortable and functional properly fitting dentures without adhesive, in most cases dental adhesive can improve the retention and stability of your dentures as long as it is used according to instructions. Do not use too much.
In most cases, well-fitted and well-maintained dentures do not need adhesive. Even when fitted by a competent and experienced dentist, many people feel more secure with the added safety net of an adhesive, which provides additional stability and enhances their ability to bite into certain foods.
Ill-fitting dentures can cause soreness, swelling and even an increased risk of infection – so if you're noticing problems, it's best to contact your dentist as soon as possible to check if you need to get your prosthesis refitted.
Your gums will be swollen for several weeks after your teeth are extracted and you are adjusting to new dentures. However, as the swelling goes down, your dentures may become loose. The most common reason is bone resorption; your gums will start to shrink because they are no longer holding your teeth in your mouth.
New dentures are not often tight at the moment of fitting. You should allow between 5 to 8 hours for your dentures to settle into your mouth, when this happens they become tighter.
As a general rule of thumb, dental professionals are likely to tell you that adjusting to new dentures takes about 30 days, on average. You might not be keen to wait this long, but you need to be careful how quickly you try to get back to normal.
IMPLANTS CAN MAKE YOUR DENTURE TIGHTER
If you already have a denture or need a denture, as few as two implants may be very effective in stabilizing your denture. This very affordable implant option will make your denture remarkably tighter, improving chewing ability and increasing self-confidence.
Your dentures should fit snug and without any discomfort. For the first six months, it is normal to need small adjustments while your gums are healing. Continue going after that so your dentist can keep an eye on your gums and how your dentures are fitting.
This entails adding a new layer of material to the base of your denture to improve the fit. The new layer mirrors the contours of your mouth and gum line, causing your dentures to fit snugly again. Your dentist may also suggest implant-retained dentures to give your dentures a better fit.
When you get your new dentures, practice speaking in private. Try reading aloud from your favorite book or talking to yourself until you feel comfortable. Singing along with your favorite songs can also help you get used to form words. In no time, you'll feel confident speaking with your new dentures.
The truth is, after you get your first set of dentures, they will likely feel a little large. However, your mouth and cheek muscles should get used to them after about a month. If after a few months you're still struggling to speak and eat, your dentures may be too big.
In most cases, properly fitted and maintained dentures should not require the use of denture adhesives. Over time, shrinkage in the bone structure in the mouth causes dentures to gradually become loose. When this occurs, the dentures should be relined or new dentures made that fit the mouth properly.
It may take some time to adjust to your new dentures, so a little irritation is perfectly normal. Poorly fitting dentures – ones that are loose or don't fit properly – can be the cause of dentures cutting into the gums or rubbing the gums. Fortunately it's something you can easily fix with the help of your dentist.
Chew on both sides of your mouth.
Distribute your food evenly on both sides of the back of your mouth when you chew. It will help keep your dentures stable while you eat.
Adjusting to Your Dentures
Use a topical gel or cream to relieve your sore gums. Rinse with salt water to reduce inflammation. Gently massage your gums to encourage blood circulation. Use a denture adhesive to make sure your new teeth don't slip around and irritate your gums.
The most common reason for loose-fitting dentures is a process known as bone resorption, where the gums begin to shrink due to them no longer needing to hold your teeth in place.
Dentures remain in place with a close fit along the underlying gum as well as the bone tissue. The layer of saliva between the gums and the denture help keep this oral health device in place. The larger the surface area, the stronger the seal. This is why there are comparably few problems with upper dentures.
Bottom dentures have a reputation for being notoriously loose. You'd think that gravity alone would help keep them in place. But lower dentures don't have the luxury of adhering to a large surface area of stationary anatomy. They also have to combat a tongue moving up, down, and all around, serving to dislodge them.
It's normal to develop sore spots during the first few days of wearing dentures. You may also have more saliva. Gum tissue contracts as it heals. For this reason, you may need to visit our office several times so your dentures fit comfortably.
Generally, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of adhesive once a day, just before wearing your dentures. If the dentures start to feel loose or uncomfortable during the day, you can reapply a small amount of adhesive. Be sure to clean off any excess adhesive before putting your dentures back in place.
A general rule of thumb here is adhesive can be applied at any time during the day – as soon as you wake up and are getting ready to put your dentures in, or in the middle of the day right before you go out to meet your friend for lunch, but only use the product once per day.
Generally you should wear your dentures for at least 8 hours a day. This will give your gums and jawbone time to get used to the dentures and prevent sore spots from developing. It is best to take them out at night so that your gums can rest. You should also remove them for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing.
Because dentures rest on that gum ridge and are customized to fit its shape and size, dentures loosen as this happens, and for many patients, end up feeling too big for their mouths.