If you wear dentures, you may have already experienced the challenges of finding a denture adhesive that works. An effective adhesive is critical for all denture wearers so they can experience the full benefits of their dental appliances.
What Are Dentures?
If you have missing or damaged teeth, you may benefit from wearing dentures. There are two different types of dentures; partial and full. A denture is custom made in a laboratory and is comprised of a flesh colored base that fits over your gums and replacement teeth.
Partial dentures are used if there are a few teeth missing while full dentures are used when all the teeth are missing or have been removed. Dentures are removable and will never feel exactly like your natural teeth but can help restore your comfort and confidence in your smile.
Are Denture Adhesives Necessary?
Denture adhesives are designed to improve and secure the fit of your dentures. In theory, if your dentures fit perfectly and are aligned, you will not need a denture adhesive. However, because you can take your dentures out and your teeth and mouth can shift, a dental adhesive can come in handy. Dentures need to be cleaned daily and should be removed every night for sleeping. If your teeth, bone or gums change in any way, your dentures may begin to feel loose. The right adhesive can give you a sense of security in knowing your dentures are going to stay exactly where you need them to.
Benefits to Denture Adhesives
When used correctly, there are some very important benefits to utilizing denture adhesives.
- They can help prevent food from becoming trapped between your teeth and your dentures. Food particles can contribute to cavities and other dental issues. By creating a tight seal between your teeth and dentures, you can effectively block any stray food particles from festering.
- They can help you devour delicious tough foods. By keeping your dentures in place, the right adhesive can give you the ability to chow down on your favorite foods, even if they are extra tough or chewy.
- They can increase your confidence. Dentures are a wonderful option for people with missing teeth, but only if you can feel confident that they will stay put. Chewing and speaking are important activities in a person’s day to day life and you should feel certain that your dentures will stay in place.
Adhesive Options
There are several different types of denture adhesives available.
- Pastes: Dental pastes or denture adhesive creams are the most popular type of adhesive available. You apply a small, equally distributed portion of paste or cream onto the inside of your dentures. Benefits include the ease of application and the ability to apply to wet or dry dentures. The most common complaint with adhesive paste is its ability to ooze if you accidentally apply too much.
- Powders: To use an adhesive powder you will want to clean your dentures and while they are slightly damp, apply a layer of powder as directed. Then, shake off any loose powder. Once the powder is in place, put your dentures in and briefly hold in place to help the adhesive attach. Powders can be slightly messier than pastes or pads but are still effective.
- Pads: Also known as denture adhesive strips, pads are used by cutting the provided strips to the correct size and lying them over your dentures. Once the strips are attached, you can place your dentures in your mouth and the strips should help provide a strong grip. These generally receive good reviews but can be more expensive that the other two options.
Top Rated Denture Adhesives
If you have consulted with your dental professional and have decided that a dental adhesive would be a good tool for you to utilize; here are some top rated choices to consider.
Thoroughlyreviewed.com gives top marks to Secure Denture Bonding Cream by Dentek touting its ability to keep dentures in place and ease of application. Other honorable mentions include Poligrip denture cream and Fixodent Extra Hold Denture Adhesive Powder.
Noblerate.com also chimes in on the denture adhesive debate and agrees with Dentek’s Secure Denture Bonding Cream as their top choice. Cushiongrip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive and Ezo Denture Cushions take their second and third spots respectively.
As you can see, there are a plethora of options to choose from. The most important considerations should be the comfort and correct application of the adhesive. So whether you prefer a cream, powder or strip, you should choose a method that you feel comfortable with and an application that works for you.
A Few Things To Consider
A word of caution, denture adhesives may contain zinc. Zinc is naturally occurring in the body, but can be harmful when a person is exposed to too much of it. If you are using your denture adhesive every day, you may want to seek out a zinc free adhesive, which are readily available. With that in mind, you should never use more adhesive than what is recommended. If your adhesive oozes over your dentures, you are applying too much.
Denture adhesives are designed to give you more confidence and a secure fit but have their limitations. Adhesives should never be a long term solution for ill-fitting dentures. Using dentures that do not fit can lead to bone loss and other problems over time. If you are suffering with dentures that don’t fit the way they should, consult with your dentist. While they may advise you to utilize an adhesive, you may also need to discuss relining your existing dentures or replacing them altogether.
If you are having trouble with your dentures or are unable to achieve the fit desire, your first step should be to consult with your dentist. There could be underlying dental issues that are causing you discomfort such as shifting teeth or something more serious. Don’t use denture adhesive to mask symptoms of a root problem. If your dental professional confirms that an adhesive is a viable option, make sure to use as directed and consult with your dental team if any complications arise.
If your dentures don’t give you the fit, comfort and flexibility you desire, call our office. Our team would be happy to take a look and help you achieve your best smile yet!