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As a grandparent, you love spending time with your grandkids. Sharing experiences and stories with them helps you stay connected, but if your dentures slide or slip when you talk to them, they may focus more on your prosthetic teeth than what you’re saying. In the short term, you can consider using a denture adhesive, which provides an added measure of security.
In this post, you’ll learn why dentures adhesive is sometimes needed, how to use it, and what other options you have for replacing your missing teeth.
Why Would You Need Denture Adhesive?
Ideally, your dentures should fit comfortably and securely; however, they won’t stay that way forever. In addition to normal wear and tear, with time you’ll likely find that they slip out of place when you talk or eat. This occurs because the jawbone under your dentures slowly diminishes.
Many denture wearers find that they need extra security and strength especially when they spend a lot of time talking with others or want to continue eating a varied diet. As a result, they turn to denture adhesive to hold their prosthetic teeth in place.
How Should Denture Adhesive Be Used?
Different types of dentures adhesives come with specific instructions, but basically, you apply some of the product—but not too much—to your dentures and press them up to your gum tissues. When removing your dentures, gently rock them back and forth and clean the adhesive off with warm water and a soft toothbrush.
Although these adhesives are perfectly safe, they should be considered temporary fixes. If you feel that your dentures do not stay in place with suction alone, it may be time to talk to your dentist about getting your dentures relined or replaced.
Is There Another Solution to Using Denture Adhesive?
After dealing with the nuisance of dentures adhesive, you may wonder if you’re stuck with it forever. Well, you have an alternative that doesn’t require ever using adhesives: dental implants. Rather than sitting on gums and relying on suction and glue-like substances, these implants feel nearly as secure as real teeth because they are embedded in the jawbone. As an added bonus, because they keep the jawbone stimulated and strong, you don’t have to worry about deterioration or relining your restorations. They can last a lifetime without needing replacement!
In the end, denture adhesives may help you keep your prosthetic teeth stable for now, but you’ll need to think about long-term plans for your smile and how you can have a strong, functional set of teeth for many, many other stories to share with your grandkids.
About the Practice
Shea Dental of Scottsdale is proud to have three talented and highly trained dentists to provide care for our patients. We offer multiple solutions for tooth replacement, including dentures and dental implants. In fact, our team can complete the entire implant process in-house, meaning we have the expertise to perform implant surgery right here. If you are interested in learning more about your options for replacing missing teeth, contact our Scottsdale office online or call 480-998-3923 for an appointment.