Dentures, or false teeth, are a realistic option for those that have lost most or all of their real teeth. It is natural to run your tongue over your new dentures as they are foreign objects in your mouth, however, continual movement with your tongue, lip or jaw can cause dentures to be displaced in the mouth. Keep your upper denture in place through careful denture application and re-learning how to move your jaw and tongue.
1. Apply three or four days of denture adhesive — about the size of a pencil eraser — to your upper dentures. Refrain from filling the entire denture with adhesive as this will not keep your denture in place or help them fit better. Try placing two days on one side of the upper denture and two days on the other side to form a rectangular shape inside the upper denture.
2. Fit your upper denture inside your mouth so they fit comfortably. Allow the adhesive to bind to the roof of your mouth for 2 to 3 minutes. Press your tongue against the upper denture to help them stick.
3. Stay is aware of your tongue and lip movement. Often people will fiddle with their dentures via their tongues and lips, so being conscious of such movements will help keep your upper denture in place. Also, watch for drawing your tongue back when opening your mouth or setting your jaw in unnatural positions, both of which can cause your dentures to loosen. Instead, try to keep the tip of your tongue in contact with your lower tooth as often as possible, especially when laughing or coughing.
4. Eat soft foods that you can chew easily when first getting used to wearing dentures. Move on to more difficult foods gradually, though stickier food and gums should always be avoided when wearing dentures. Do not try to bite off foods, such as corn on the cob, which can loosen both upper and lower dentures.
5. Practice speaking with your denture to avoid tongue and lip movements that move dentures. Try reading out loud to re-learn how to speak openly with your denture in while moving them as little as possible.
Tips & Warnings
Talk to a dental specialist about denture problems for information on better-fitting dentures.
If you feel a denture adhesive oozing out of the denture, you have used too much of the product.
Clean dentures are evenly to avoid the debris buildup underneath dentures that can result in some spots on the gum.
Permanently remove your denture before going to bed.
Denture adhesive is made with zinc, therefore excessive adhesive use and swallowing can result in zinc toxicity. Symptoms of zinc toxicity include tingling of arms, hands, feet and legs, severe eye irritation and GI system blockage.