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Denture Adhesives

Overview:

Commercialization tries to convince consumers that anyone wearing a denture may require a denture adhesive. On the other hand, most dentists tell the public that a denture adhesive is not required. The truth is that the use of adhesive is in the middle. The use of a denture adhesive alleviates the worries of wearing a denture, and boosts a denture wearer's confidence. There will be times when you require a denture adjustment and not require an adhesive, but wear an adhesive anyways. If you feel your denture slipping contact your dentist. Even though you have a denture and no teeth present, you should still visit your dentist twice a year for a dental check-up. You should discuss dental adhesives with your dentist, and make sure that your denture is comfortable to wear. A better denture fit may be as easy as a minor adjustment, or a reline or rebasing of the denture. These may be required with increased age, as your oral bone and soft tissues may shrink away from the denture. However, if you feel comfortable wearing a denture adhesive, by all means, use one!

Use of Adhesives:

There are two types of denture adhesives: powdered and paste. Powdered adhesives clean off better than the pastes, and do not alter your bite. Using a powdered denture adhesive involves: 1) Cleaning your denture and than rinsing it with water; 2) shaking a thin layer of powder on the inside of the denture that lies against your soft tissue; and, 3) placing your denture back into position. Paste adhesives should be apply a little or moderately onto the tissue surface of the denture after the denture has been thoroughly cleaned and dried. Do not apply too much, as it can alter your bite, and ooze out from under the denture creating difficulties removing the adhesive from the other oral tissues.

Duration:

The amount of time an adhesive will hold your denture in your mouth varies with several factors. Denture adhesives usually work better on the upper denture, due to surface area that the denture lies, natural suction, and reduced muscle movements. The lower denture has to deal with the tongue movements, cheek movements, no natural suction, and small surface area. The lower denture is more apt to move than the upper denture. Also, foods and food debris may become lodged under the denture, or some beverages may wash away the denture adhesive with time.

Removing Adhesive:

Sometimes dentures are difficult to remove when you use adhesive on them, especially for the elderly who may have limited movement of their fingers or arthritis pain. When removed, the denture should be thoroughly cleaned under water with a special denture brush and kept moist until they are ready to wear again. Paste adhesives are more difficult to remove from both the denture and the soft tissues. They usually have to be peeled out of the mouth and denture using gauze. They then should also be rinsed and brushed under water and kept moist in a container until they are ready for reinsertion.

Make sure that you keep your mouth and dentures very clean, whether or not you are using a denture adhesive, and visit your dentist regularly!