Several years ago I decided to take a trip to the dentist after skipping multiple appointments for over 15 years. I truly had a dental anxiety and had a hard time getting over my fears. Thankfully, my dental visit went smoothly with only four cavities identified. What I did find from this dental visit was that there was a great deal of new information and technology that I had been missing out on. Laser-based technology and digital imaging are just a few examples. With this blog, I want you to understand that you can get over your fears and learn about this new technology like I did, so enjoy the information.
New denture wearers often choose to utilize denture adhesives as a way to help ensure that their teeth stay safely in place. Yet sometimes those adhesives do their job so well that it can be difficult to remove the dentures at the end of the day. If you are new to dentures and have been experiencing difficulty getting them out of place, read on. This article will provide a helpful guide to handling stubborn denture adhesive.
The Nature Of Denture Adhesives
There are two main ingredients that make up a denture adhesive: polyvinyl acetate and caboxymethylcellulose, or CMC for short. Here the polyvinyl acetate is the actual adhesive. Yet it comes with a catch: it only works when the surfaces it is adhering are dry. That is where the CMC comes on.
CMC acts to absorb and retain liquid--in this case, saliva. By sponging up the saliva in your mouth, it allows the polyvinyl acetate to keep your dentures properly stuck in place. Should the CMC reach its maximum moisture capacity, however, the adhesive will lose its strength. At that point your dentures will be help in place by suction alone.
Removing Stubborn Dentures
Denture adhesives are designed in such a way that, by the end of the day, the CMC has absorbed its full capacity of moisture, thus making the dentures easy to remove. Those who experience difficulty can often ease the removal process by spending a couple of minutes swishing the inside of their mouth with water. This will help to saturate the CMC and break the adhesive's bond.
When removing your dentures, remember to gently press them away from your gums with two fingers. Try to exert an even pressure. If the denture is still slow to come loose, you may try applying a bit more pressure first to one side and then to the other. This gentle rocking motion will help to break the suction holding them in place.
Adhesive Clean Up
If you find that you still have denture adhesive stuck to your gums after having removing your dentures, use a washcloth moistened with warm water to help loosen it up. Then use a toothbrush and toothpaste to scrub clean any remaining adhesive. In the event that some adhesive still remains on your gums, do not worry. It will loosen up in the coming hours, as it becomes more and more saturated with saliva. Never give in to the temptation to use denture cleansers on your gums, as these substances can cause serious harm to your body's tissues.
For more information, contact a local dentist.
Share25 April 2017
