Among individuals with traditional dentures, many of them find that their teeth stay in place with nothing more than natural suction. Others, though, use adhesive to help their prosthetic gain a more secure fit. Should you use adhesive, and how can you do so in the correct way? This blog post provides some practical guidance.
Should You Use Adhesive?
Denture adhesive might be right for you if:
- You struggle with dry mouth. A dry mouth, whether it is due to medications or other factors, can make it more difficult for a denture to stay in place without adhesive.
- You use your mouth a lot. Many teachers, musicians, and public speakers use denture adhesive for extra security and confidence.
- You just want a bit of extra hold. Adhesive can help your prosthetic to stay in place all day long, allowing you to enjoy worry-free function.
On the other hand, you should not use adhesive if your denture feels extremely loose (that is an issue for your dentist to address) or if you have allergies to any ingredients in denture adhesive.
How to Apply Adhesive
To apply denture adhesive, you should:
- Prep your denture and your mouth. Your prosthetic should be clean and dry, and your mouth should be clean as well.
- Apply the adhesive. If you are using cream, apply it in short strips on the base of your denture. Be careful not to use too much, and do not apply it too close to the edge. If you use a powder, sprinkle it very lightly across all surfaces of the denture that will contact your gums. If you are using strips, open them and lightly moisten them one at a time. Tear strips as needed so you can place three of them on your denture’s base. Do not put them too close to the edge.
- Place your denture in your mouth. Bite down firmly for a few seconds so the adhesive has time to take hold.
How to Remove Adhesive
At the end of the day, you should remove your denture and its adhesive by taking these steps:
- Remove your denture. First, swish warm water around your mouth. Then, use a gentle rocking motion to remove your denture.
- Clean your mouth. Rinsing with warm water and using a soft brush or cloth on your gums can remove any remaining traces of adhesive.
- Clean your denture. Again, using a soft brush is important for making sure that all traces of adhesive are gone. In addition to cleaning the base, you should also brush its artificial teeth.
- Soak your denture. Place your denture in water or a cleansing solution to soak overnight.
It can take a bit of practice to get used to using denture adhesive, but it should become a natural part of your routine in no time at all!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Erin Page is an experienced practitioner who has completed extensive training in multiple aspects of her profession. She always strives to provide beautiful, functional, and natural-feeling dental prosthetics, including dentures. If you have questions about dentures or how to get the most out of them, she and our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact Capital Smiles in Schenectady at 518-374-0317.