Dentures are a necessity for people with multiple missing teeth. However, many wearers have trouble adjusting to their dentures and getting them to stay firmly and comfortably in place.
Fortunately, modern technologies such as dental implants can be used to effectively stabilize dentures and secure them in the mouth to avoid embarrassing denture slips. But they come at a huge cost that makes them prohibitive to many denture wearers.
A more cost-effective and natural way to keep loose dentures in place is to simply use a soft liner or homemade denture adhesive, such as peanut butter or karaya gum powder, or other home remedies like rinsing your mouth with salt water or soaking your dentures in a solution of water and apple cider vinegar .
While dentures are a common and effective solution for replacing missing teeth, some individuals may experience difficulty in keeping their dentures securely in place.
Fortunately, there are several natural methods that can help improve the stability of dentures:
1. Proper Denture Fit
Ensuring that your dentures are properly fitted by a dental professional is crucial. Ill-fitting dentures can cause discomfort and make it challenging to keep them in place. Regular visits to your dentist for adjustments or relining can help maintain a better fit.
2. Loose dentures adhesive
Denture adhesive creams or powders can be used to provide additional grip and improve the stability of dentures. These products create a thin layer between the dentures and gums, enhancing suction and reducing movement. They are discussed in more detail below:
3. Denture Relining
Over time, changes in the shape of the jawbone and gum tissue can cause dentures to become loose or uncomfortable. Denture relining at home is a process that involves adding a new layer of material to the base of the denture to improve its fit and stability, while minimizing the risk of sores or irritation caused by loose-fitting dentures.
4. Chewing Exercises
Practicing jaw exercises and strengthening the muscles involved in chewing provides a natural way to improve denture stability. Chewing sugarless gum or engaging in jaw exercises recommended by your dentist can enhance the muscle tone and control, contributing to better denture retention.
5. Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for optimal denture fit. Make sure to remove your dentures at night. Brushing your gums, tongue, and palate with a soft-bristle brush or using a gentle mouthwash can help keep the oral tissues healthy and promote better denture adherence.
6. Avoiding Sticky and Hard Foods
Certain foods, such as sticky or hard substances, can dislodge dentures. Avoiding these types of foods or cutting them into smaller, manageable pieces can help prevent denture movement while eating.
7. Saliva Enhancement
Dry mouth can affect denture retention. Staying hydrated and stimulating saliva flow through sugar-free candies or by drinking water can aid in improving denture stability.
How to fix loose dentures at home
Dentures provide a great solution for people looking to fill gaps in their mouth. When you fit a partial or full denture, there is usually a small microscopic space between your gums and the base of the denture. If you have a perfect fit, saliva will fill this space, providing natural suction that lets the denture fit snugly against your gums.
But in some cases, denture wearers feel more comfortable when there is a stronger hold beyond that provided by the denture lining to prevent the appliance from shifting when speaking or eating.
Denture adhesives come in the form of pads, pastes, and powders, and help to fix loose dentures fast and achieve the desired stronger hold. They are designed to provide temporary relief and improve comfort and functionality when your dentures are slipping from your mouth.
But if your dentures don’t feel tight enough, you’ll still have to consult your dentist to evaluate the fit and make any necessary adjustments.
When using denture adhesive, always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and use the recommended amount.
Here are the pros and cons:
Benefits of denture adhesive
- For Increased comfort – A well-fitting set of dentures is a great solution when your natural teeth are missing. However, they don’t quite feel like your original teeth. Using denture adhesive to hold them firmly in place makes them feel more like your real teeth, plus this prevents them from rubbing against surrounding oral tissue.
- For Increased security – With time, the underlying tissue and bone structure can weaken, becoming unable to sufficiently support your dentures. Before your dentist can adjust the fit, you can improvise at home with some homemade adhesive to secure them in place.
- For Improved nutrition – When properly secured, you have more freedom to eat different types of foods, just like your real teeth, without fear that your dentures will get loose from chewing.
- For effortless speech – Loose fitting dentures that shift as you talk can make it difficult to speak clearly and eloquently. Securing them with adhesive can fix this problem.
- For better overall health – Poorly fitting dentures can cause mouth sores, infections, irritations, and a variety of other health problems. Adhesive improves the fit, preventing such problems.
Side Effects of Denture Adhesive
Denture adhesives can be advantageous when used correctly. However, you’re likely to encounter some challenges when using them, such as:
- Increased maintenance – dentures must be cleaned daily and old adhesive removed to avoid bacterial. However, this can become challenging when using adhesive, increasing the risk for bad breath and gum disease
- Messy and Nasty – denture adhesives can be grimy, especially when in the form of a runny paste or loose powder, and carry a foul taste.
- Costly – while denture adhesives are not expensive, daily use can affect your budget, especially since insurers don’t pay for adhesives.
- Zinc poisoning may result from some denture adhesives
If you’re not sure that you need denture, your dentist can help you decide while weighing the various pros and cons of getting denture adhesives.
Home remedies to hold dentures in place
Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Some denture wearers claim that soaking their appliances in a solution of water and apple cider vinegar (one part vinegar to three parts water) overnight can help to improve the grip of their dentures.
To try this home remedy, you can follow these steps:
- Prepare the Solution: Mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts lukewarm water in a container that is large enough to fully submerge your dentures.
- Remove Dentures: Take out your dentures from your mouth and rinse them thoroughly with warm water to remove any debris or food particles.
- Soak Dentures: Place the dentures in the container with the apple cider vinegar solution, ensuring they are fully submerged. Let them soak for about 15-30 minutes. Avoid leaving them in the solution for an extended period or overnight, as vinegar can be abrasive and may damage the dentures.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After the soaking time is complete, remove the dentures from the solution. Rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove any vinegar residue. It’s crucial to ensure all traces of the solution are removed before reinserting the dentures.
- Brush and Clean: Use a soft denture brush and mild soap or denture cleanser to gently clean your dentures, removing any remaining debris or plaque. Rinse them again to remove any cleaning agents.
- Reinsert Dentures: Once your dentures are clean and free from vinegar or cleaning residue, you can safely reinsert them into your mouth.
Keep in mind that excessive or prolonged use of vinegar may lead to damage or alterations in the color or texture of your dentures. So make sure to follow your denture hygiene routine even when trying out new things to enhance the fit.
How to Tighten Dentures at Home with Saltwater Rinse
Saltwater rinses create a temporary sticky surface in your mouth, which can enhance the adhesion between your dentures and the underlying gum tissue. This increased stickiness can help prevent the dentures from slipping or moving around during normal activities like talking or eating.
Here’s how it works:
- Prepare the Solution: Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Stir until the salt is fully dissolved.
- Rinse Your Mouth: Take a small sip of the saltwater solution and swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds. Make sure to reach all areas, including the gums and the roof of your mouth. Spit out the solution after rinsing.
- Repeat as Needed: You can perform saltwater rinses multiple times a day or as needed to maintain denture retention. It’s a simple and cost-effective method that can provide temporary relief and improve the stability of your dentures.
However, it’s important to note that saltwater rinses are a temporary solution and may not provide long-lasting benefits for everyone.
Homemade denture adhesive: how long will it hold?
Method 1: Using peanut butter
If you find yourself in a situation where you need a quick fix to hold your denture in place, then you can prepare some denture adhesive in your home kitchen using only some peanut butter. You only need to:
- Get your jar of peanut butter
- Scoop a spoonful of peanut butter and apply it to the dentures’ indents
- Put the denture back in your mouth
- Bite down on the denture to hold it in place
How long will it hold?
This homemade denture adhesive should hold for two to three hours. Since it’s a short-term fix, make sure to purchase a tube of denture adhesive from the store.
Method 2: Using bubble gum and confectioner sugar
- Unwrap several pieces of minty white chewing gum and place them in a heat-safe glass bowl
- Microwave for a minute – on high setting – to melt the gum
- Use a wooden spoon to stir the melted contents
- Put ¼ cup of confectioner sugar on a sheet of waxed baking paper and spread it
- Pour the melted gum over the sugar and mix thoroughly
- Roll the mixture and slice it into small pieces
- Wrap the pieces individually and put them in an airtight jar
These pieces should be safe to use for up to one month. Whenever you need some homemade denture adhesive, you only need to use one of the pieces. Squeeze the mixture into the indents of the denture and spread it before placing the denture in your mouth and biting down.
How long will it hold?
This short-term denture adhesive will last about five hours.
Method 3: Using gum powder
- Mix 2 tablespoons of Karaya gum powder and 6 tablespoons of tragacanth gum powder in a bowl
- Put the powder mix in a 5-ounce jar
- Add 30 drops of peppermint oil using a dropper
- Close the jar and shake it vigorously to get a uniform blend
- Scoop only what you need and spread it evenly on your denture
- Then put the denture in your mouth and hold it in place for 30 seconds
How long will it hold?
Each application of this method should last for up to 12 hours while giving you fresh breath owing to the mint.
How to make loose dentures fit better with adhesive
If you plan on using denture adhesive, you should start by making sure that your dentures are thoroughly cleaned and completely dry.
Next:
- Apply your preferred denture adhesive in short strips, making sure that it doesn’t come very close to the edges.
- Rinse your mouth as usual to remove any debris that may affect the fit or cause discomfort.
- Insert and press the dentures into place. Make sure to hold them firmly before biting down for a few seconds to secure hold.
What is the strongest denture adhesive?
There are several types of denture adhesives available on the market, including:
- Creams: These are the most popular and strongest type of denture adhesive. They are easy to apply and come in a tube that allows for easy dispensing. Creams can last up to 12 hours and are water-soluble, making them easy to clean.
- Powders: These are another popular option for denture wearers. They are easy to apply and can last up to 8 hours. Powders can be a good option for people who don’t like the feeling of cream or gel adhesives.
- Strips: These are pre-cut adhesive strips that are applied to the dentures. They are easy to use and can provide a strong hold. However, they may not be as effective as creams or powders and may be more difficult to remove.
When using denture adhesive, it is important to follow the instructions carefully. Too much adhesive can cause the dentures to slip or create a lumpy feeling in the mouth. It is also important to clean the dentures and the mouth thoroughly to prevent infection or irritation.
How to remove denture adhesive
If your denture adhesive hasn’t come off and you can’t take your dentures out easily, you can apply the following tips to remove it:
- Swish some warm water in your mouth. To break the seal, drink some warm water and swirl it around in your mouth for a minute. Repeat the process two or three more times after removing the denture to completely eliminate the adhesive residue.
- You can use mouthwash to remove any remaining adhesive from your dentures and to clean your mouth and enhance your breath.
- Rinse your mouth with a solution of salt and water to loosen the denture adhesive and remove any residue from the gums.
- Gently brush your gums with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a little toothpaste to get rid of any leftover adhesive. Do this regularly to maintain clean and healthy gums.
Denture adhesive removers
Denture adhesive remover options include:
- Adhesive-removing wipes: These are pre-moistened cloths that are specifically designed to remove denture adhesive. They are easy to use and can be disposed of after use.
- Adhesive-removing creams: These are similar to adhesive-removing wipes, but come in a cream form. They can be applied directly to the denture adhesive and left for a few minutes before wiping or rinsing off.
- Warm water and soap: Soaking dentures in warm water and soap can help loosen denture adhesive, making it easier to remove.
- Vinegar and water: A mixture of vinegar and water can also be used to soak dentures and remove denture adhesive.
Make sure to follow the instructions on the adhesive remover product you choose, and to be gentle when removing the denture adhesive to avoid damaging the dentures.
What are the best denture adhesive remover wipes to buy?
When selecting denture adhesive remover wipes, consider the following factors:
- Effectiveness: Look for wipes specifically designed for denture adhesive removal. Check customer reviews or seek recommendations from dentists or other denture wearers to ensure the wipes effectively remove adhesive residue.
- Gentle on Skin: Choose wipes that are gentle on the skin and oral tissues to avoid irritation or discomfort. They could be labeled as gentle or formulated for sensitive skin.
- Non-Abrasive: Opt for non-abrasive wipes to avoid any damage to the dentures’ surface or metal components.
- Ease of Use: Consider wipes that are easy to handle and use, with convenient packaging for on-the-go usage or home care.
- Safety and Ingredients: Check the ingredients list for any potential allergens or irritants. It’s best to avoid products that contain harsh chemicals or ingredients that may cause adverse reactions.
- Brand Reputation: Consider reputable brands that specialize in oral care or denture products. Research and read reviews to get an idea of customer satisfaction and product quality.
If you still can’t decide, it’s always a good idea to consult with your dentist or prosthodontist for personalized recommendations based on your specific needs and preferences.
