Many people who wear dentures find that there is an adhesive denture material that is used to keep the dentures firmly fixed in the mouth. In its simplest form the denture adhesive is gum or glue for false teeth and is commonly used to prevent the dentures from slipping while eating or speaking.
People who wear a full set of dentures will have a complete set of false teeth created especially to fit their jaw and mouth in the same way their natural teeth fit in. The full dentures are produced in one piece and hence do not need any adhesive substance to keep the teeth in place. However, partial dentures frequently require adhesive.
Partial dentures need to fit firmly and correctly and the dentist may recommend the use of semi-permanent adhesive denture material to keep these dentures in place.
Some people choose to use denture adhesive out of fear of having their false teeth move at an inopportune time. These people use the adhesive material to achieve peace of mind, rather than to improve the functioning of their dentures.
It is very important to know how to use the adhesive and how much of it to use. If you use too much of it it can make the dentures appear unattractive, bulky and ill-fitting.
The use of denture adhesive is usually recommended for people who do not produce enough saliva since saliva is an excellent natural adhesive for dentures. In this case, the gum is recommended by the doctor, but it should be used very sparingly and according to directions.
Denture adhesive has improved over the years, however, you may benefit from the skilled hand of the dentist showing you how to apply it for best results. Your dentist can explain the quantity and method of using the material.
Avoid using denture adhesive to fix a full set of dentures that are no longer fitting well. See your dentist instead. Denture adhesive should only be used as recommended.
