Stick Your Dentures to Gums with Adhesive Creams
Dr. B. Kanagasabapathy
[M.D.S. (Ortho), Fellow ICOI]
Dentures have been in practice for generations but they should be adjusted constantly to fit inside the mouth. Poor-fitting dentures do not just move around but can have ill effects like infections, reduce bite force, gastrointestinal problems due to reduced masticatory efficiency, etc. In such cases, you can take advantage of denture adhesives available in creams, powders, and strips.
In 2020, Economic Times of India had stated that about 3% of the Indian population (4.1 crore people) are denture wearers. Surprisingly, many people are not aware of the guidelines on how best to use denture adhesives. It means they are unaware of the consequences of excessive usage of adhesives. However, the type of adhesives, number of dabs to use would also vary for each person.
In this article, Dr.Kangasabapathy has explained denture adhesive creams and provided the guidelines on how to use them for the well-being of your oral health.
What is the need for denture adhesives?
Jawbone loss is a common consequence of missing teeth. It is also common in those who are wearing dentures for a long time. As they have little bone to support dentures and the remaining bones are also declining, their facial structure would change so that the teeth set becomes loose and disturb their oral activities. It pushes the denture wearers to get new denture teeth.
Until they get a new set, wearing dentures with adhesives support in maintaining the denture’s retention, stability, and function. If you wear the appliance after applying the adhesives, a bond between the denture and gums will be established to ensure a comfortable fit.
What are the key benefits of denture adhesive creams?
Denture adhesive creams can keep a denture in its place for long hours or even throughout the day. It has various advantages as listed below:
- Make wearing dentures more comfortable
- The adhesive cream constituents have antibacterial qualities so that it prevents bacteria infection and bad breath.
- Reduce oral irritations
- Prevents the food debris stuck underneath the denture
- Avoid denture slip offs
- The creams are cost-effective
However, the denture adhesive creams (powder and strips also) cannot benefit you if you
- Wear worn-out dentures
- Have dry mouth
- Allergic to any denture adhesive constituents
- Don’t clean the denture teeth properly
How to use denture fixative creams?
You should apply the denture adhesives correctly to enjoy their benefits else the adhesive agents start leaking out (oozing) so that causing an abnormal taste in your mouth for a while. Here are the steps to properly apply the denture adhesive creams:
1) Clean your denture teeth thoroughly and let them dry.
2) Apply a small amount of adhesive creams over the denture. Usually, 3 or 4 drops of cream in the size of eraser on the end of a pencil is sufficient.
3) Don’t apply the cream too close to the denture edges.
4) Rinse your mouth before wearing the denture teeth.
5) Place the denture inside your mouth and press it gently to hold securely.
6) Don’t eat or drink anything for 5 minutes.
Will denture adhesive creams harm your oral health?
The adhesive creams hold the teeth set by stimulating bio-active & bio-cohesive forces. Moreover, the adhesives are composed of active agents that are biocompatible with all kinds of biologically active moieties like saliva.
Mostly, the denture adhesive agent becomes problematic if
- You use it excessively
- Don’t clean the dentures properly
For instance, some people cannot take out the dentures if they used a large amount of denture adhesive creams. In such circumstances, swishing mouth with a cup of warm water or alcohol-free mouthwashes will loosen the cream. Now you can move out the appliance.
If it does not work, swish your mouth again with lukewarm water. Blow a balloon or whistle and then take the teeth set out carefully.
Bottom line
The denture adhesive creams contain adhesive polymers that expand once they absorb saliva. The enlarged polymers create a soft, flexible layer between the gum tissues and the denture to keep the fake teeth set stand grip in its place. It helps the denture wearers to stand far away from the side effects of ill-fitting dentures.
In general, the fixative cream can hold the denture a day. If you apply too much of this cream with the intent of making it hold grasp for 2 or 3 days, you will develop various oral problems.
