What is Denture Adhesive and do I need it?
With so many brands and types of denture adhesives, how do you know which one is best for you? Will you choose, powder, paste, or pads? A lot of this will depend on personal preference. Sometimes, new dentures may be the best solution.
While it is recommended to have your denture relined every 2-3 years and replaced anywhere from 5-7 years, some denture wearers will use adhesive due to time or financial constraints in the meantime. It is true that denture adhesives may help your denture fit tighter temporarily, it is just that, temporary. It is also important to remember that denture adhesives do not always work as we would hope and the only solution is a properly fitted denture.
Advantages
- Nutrition Improvement– Dentures that are secure allow for ease of chewing and in return, allow you to eat a variety of foods.
- Comfort– Denture adhesive may give you a sense of security and confidence while preventing slippage.
- Cost– While denture adhesive is usually under $20, this can add up. If a denture wearer uses a tube of adhesive a week, you’ll be paying $1000 + yearly. Why not invest in refitting or having a new denture made?
Disadvantages
- Messy– regardless of the adhesive type (powder, paste, or pads), they can be messy and frustrating.
- Increased Maintenance– In order to prevent bacteria from resulting in possible infections, any old denture adhesive needs to be removed and dentures cleaned before any new adhesive can be added.
- Zinc Contamination (oral)– The foods we eat, the medication we take and some denture adhesives we use can contain zinc. While zinc is an important mineral that our body needs, overuse of adhesive may lead to Zinc Toxicity. This can lead to prolonged numbness, and nerve impairment. There are zinc-free adhesives!
Oral Zinc Toxicity
“Chronic zinc ingestion over time can result in gastrointestinal issues (nausea, diarrhea) and even neurological effects”. If you suspect you may have Zinc Toxicity, seek medical help immediately.
How will you know you are using too much adhesive?
If you have denture adhesive oozing out from your teeth then, it’s too much. You only need about 3 pea-sized dots on the fitting surface of your denture. This may vary from person to person. Please ask your Denturist for further instructions. Follow directions from the manufacturer.
When to not use adhesive
There will be times to use adhesive and times to avoid it. Only your Denturist at Minuk Denture Clinic can confirm with you whether to use it or not.
If you are using denture adhesive as a way to “fix” an ill-fitting denture. STOP and book your free yearly checkup with your Denturist here at the clinic. Yearly checkups can address any concerns you may have about your denture and their fit. New dentures may solve this and the denture cost may not be as high as you were anticipating.
If you have had extractions is best to wait until you are healed to add adhesive due to tender tissue sites.
If you are not diligent in cleaning & soaking your dentures daily, denture adhesive may not be for you. Denture adhesive needs to be completely removed and dentures cleaned & dried before adding new. If you do not clean the old adhesive off your denture this can cause bacteria and even mold to form. Putting new adhesive on top of old adhesives will also work against each other in that a proper seal cannot be formed. Instead of relying on denture adhesive to secure your denture, your Denturist at Minuk Denture Clinic will be able to help find a solution.
Things to keep in mind
While denture adhesives may help your denture stay in place, this is simply a short-term solution. See your denturist at Minuk Denture Clinic yearly to ensure your dentures fit. This is essential. Please know that denture maintenance such as relining is common and the only real solution to a loose lower denture may be dental implants. Our mouths are ever-changing and jaw bone will continue to shrink over time due to bone resorption.
Agnew, U. M. (2022, January 6). Zinc toxicity. StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved February 10, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554548/
Minuk Digital Denture and Implant Clinic Centre is Canada’s largest Denture Clinic located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With over 100,000+ dentures created since 1977, our team is confident that we can help you love your smile again. Minuk has denture solutions for all budgets and are here to help you understand the cost of dentures and the process of getting new dentures. Our team of denturists and expert staff are here to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Check out our Smile Stories and learn more about the Minuk difference by reviewing our website or calling us at 204.589.6329. Book your Free Consultation Today!
