If you’ve experienced significant tooth loss, dentures are a great way to restore your smile’s appearance and function at an affordable cost. Even people with the most extreme cases of tooth loss can get their entire smiles back! Most denture wearers find that their top dentures feel secure and comfortable. However, some people find that their lower dentures don’t fit quite the same. There are many reasons why this can happen. Read on to learn some of the most common as well as some tips and tricks to help.
Why Is My Lower Denture Unstable?
- Flat/Negative Ridge: If you have adequate bone height and width, your lower denture is more likely to remain stationary. This is especially the case if your lower ridge is “U-shaped.” However, if you’ve been missing teeth for a long time or have a flatter bone, the lower denture is more likely to shift around.
- Inadequate Denture Border Length: The sides of the denture are called the “borders.” The borders need to be the right length and width to create a good seal.
- Lack of Saliva: A major factor in denture retention is saliva. Saliva is helpful in aiding the suction of a denture. If you don’t have enough saliva, or it is too thick, you could run to some issues.
- Impatience: Wearing dentures takes some time to adjust to. You won’t be an expert right away. By taking the time to adapt to how they feel and function against the surrounding structure, you will likely have more success.
3 Ways to Improve the Stability of Your Bottom Dentures
- Reline: Relines are necessary from time to time to adapt to your ridge anatomy. The mouth is constantly changing, so the base of your denture needs to be reshaped every few years for optimal fit.
- Denture Adhesive: Using a small amount of denture adhesive can help to keep your prosthetic in plan. Just remember that when it comes to this type of product, more isn’t better. If your dentures don’t stay in with a minimal amount of adhesive, you may need to have them relined.
- Practice: Time and patience are a must when you get dentures. You need to train the muscles of your face and tongue to get used to the denture. You need to chew on both sides of your mouth evenly to avoid excessive pressure on one side. You also may want to try resting your tongue in a different position in your mouth to avoid dislodging your denture.
If your denture isn’t staying in place like it used to, it’s worthwhile to have it looked at by your dentist. This way, the next steps can be taken to make your teeth fit more comfortably.
About the Practice
At Coombs, Ross & Sourlis Family Dentistry of Rock Hill, our three dentists work together to serve patients in the Rock Hill community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. If you’re struggling with your bottom denture, they’d be happy to help. To learn more about dentures or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (803) 592-6201.