Did you know that one in four people in the UK wear full or partial dentures? Or that the average age of a denture wearer is just 43? These facts may be surprising, but they should also be reassuring. If you’re facing up to having dentures fitted, you should know that you’re far from alone.
You may have concerns about adapting to your new dentures – from keeping them in place and preventing slippage to safely removing your dentures and preventing bad breath. At Fixodent we have decades of experience in denture care, so we’re well-placed to offer the advice you need to overcome any problems with dentures.
Six common denture challenges you can conquer
Dentures slipping.
Normal teeth are anchored firmly into your gums and jaw. Dentures require muscle power to keep them in place. The muscles in your lips, cheeks and tongue need to learn to co-ordinate and work together to hold your dentures in position, but initially these muscles might kick your dentures out of place. In fact, 71% of people are scared that their dentures may loosen or pop out unexpectedly when they laugh. Fixodent denture adhesives creams are specially formulated to keep dentures firmly and comfortably in place with the minimum of fuss.
Soreness or pain.
Within a few hours of putting your new dentures in, it’s not uncommon for some soreness to occur. To help reduce any pain, simply rinse your mouth with a solution of salt water. Fixodent denture adhesives cream doesn't just stop dentures slipping, it also ideal for reducing sore spots and irritation caused by dentures that rub. If pain or soreness persist, visit your dentist to have your dentures carefully adjusted – do not attempt this yourself.
Excessive saliva.
With new dentures in your mouth, it may feel like your salivary glands are creating much more saliva than your mouth needs. Don’t worry. This is a common experience that will subside once your mouth has adjusted to wearing new dentures. A good tip is to swallow more often – sucking on a hard-boiled sweet or mint will help you swallow more naturally.
A real mouthful.
Because your mouth is so sensitive, when you first start wearing dentures, you might feel that they are too big for your mouth. You might also be convinced that they are shunting your lips forward, causing you to be self-conscious of your mouth. This is common but will become less of an issue the more you wear your dentures and the more your muscles get instinctively used to keeping them in place.
Halitosis.
Without a proper seal, troublesome food and drink particles have a habit of getting behind dentures, where it decays and causes bad breath. Fixodent Dual Protection denture adhesive is not only formulated for keeping dentures in place, it incorporates ‘food seal’ technology. This stops these causes of odours, whilst an anti-bacterial action reduces the spread of any bacteria. The result is clinically proven fresher breath for up to 6 hours.
Dentures no longer fit.
If your dentures used to fit perfectly but now sit awkwardly, it’s highly likely that it’s your mouth that’s changed, not your dentures. Gum tissue and your jawbone both deteriorate over time and as your dentures rest and rely on these, they can become loose and uncomfortable. If this happens, visit your dentist for either the adjustment or replacement of your dentures and advice on how to keep dentures in place.