What To Expect From Denture Adhesives

New denture wearers often struggle to understand the range of supplementary products available today. While many such products are not essential, denture adhesives can make a huge difference in both comfort and security. If you have recently been prescribed dentures and would like to learn more about what denture adhesives can do for you, read on. This article will outline what you can--and can't expect--from denture adhesives.

What denture adhesives can do for you.

Loose dentures are not only the cause of much embarrassment, but they can make eating much more difficult than it should be. As you can probably surmise, the purpose of denture adhesive is to help keep your dentures locked in place all day long. Not only does adhesive increase the stability of dentures, but it also allows you to generate a greater amount of bite force, making it easier to process tough foods.

In this regard, denture adhesive can do wonders for all denture users. Yet it is even more well suited for those who suffer from chronic dry mouth--or xerostomia, as it is officially known. It is natural to develop some degree of xerostomia as you age. The severity of the condition may be exacerbated by factors including:

• the use of tobacco products
• high caffeine and/or alcohol consumption
• specific medications
• certain neurological issues

Denture wearers with xerostomia tend to experience a greater degree of slippage. This is due to the decreased saliva levels in the mouth. Saliva plays a key role in establishing a strong bond between your gums and the denture. Denture adhesive is a great way to work around this frustrating problem.

What denture adhesives cannot do for you.

Denture adhesive is often used as a stop gap to compensate for more serious problems. For instance, many turn to adhesive to help keep worn, broken, or otherwise misshapen dentures in place. This should be considered an inappropriate use of such adhesives, since it is merely covering up for issues that need to be addressed.

Even if your dentures are not visibly damaged or worn, they may no longer fit in your mouth the way that they should. That's because the gums and jaw are both prone to undergo structural changes as time goes on. Thus dentures that fit you a couple of years ago may no longer stay in place the way they should. Denture adhesives will only be able to cover up such problems for a finite period of time.

If you have begun to suspect that your dentures don't fit properly any more, be sure to discuss this feeling with a dentist from a clinic like DSW Dental. It may be the case that you need to be fitted for a new pair of dentures.