How To Deal With Difficult Denture Removal

Denture adhesive is a vital part of many denture wearers' peace of mind, since it means no more worrying about teeth coming loose over the course of the day. Unfortunately, sometimes such adhesives are so effective that they can make it hard to get your dentures free at night. If you have been struggling with stiff or stubborn dentures, read on. This article will discuss best practices for dealing with stubborn dentures.

Understanding Adhesive

It is helpful to begin with a discussion of the two main ingredients of most denture adhesives. The substance known as polyvinyl acetate is responsible for providing the actual adhesion. Yet polyvinyl acetate is only capable of joining two surfaces when both of them are perfectly dry. Here s where the second main ingredient--caboxymethylcellulose, aka CMC--comes in.

CMC is noted for its ability to absorb large amounts of liquid. The liquid involved here is, naturally, saliva. As the CMC in your denture adhesive absorbs any excess saliva, it ensures that the polyvinyl acetate will be able to continue providing the desired degree of adhesion. Of course, once the CMC has reached its moisture capacity, the adhesive will cease to function as desired.

Stubborn Dentures

In principal, a denture adhesive contains about enough CMC to soak up saliva over the course of the single day, reaching its max capacity right around the time that you are just getting ready for bed. Of course, things don't always work this well in reality. Those who use a large amount of adhesive may find it still holding tight at the end of the day. This is generally the result of CMC that has yet to reach its moisture threshold.

Such stubbornness can often be alleviated by swishing water around in the mouth for several minutes. As this water penetrates beneath the dentures, it will saturate the CMC and allow the denture to be more easily removed. It is also helpful to remember to exert an firm yet balanced pressure when pressing the dentures away from your gums. If the denture still proves stubborn, try rocking gently from one side to the other; this is often sufficient to break the suction and allow the denture to be lifted out.

Remove Excess Adhesive

Many people find that they still have a significant amount of adhesive on their gums after removing their dentures. Always be sure to remove such adhesive using warm water and a moist cloth. Gently scrubbing with a soft toothbrush will also help to loosen stuck adhesive. In all events, resist the temptation to utilize denture cleaners for this purpose. These cleaners contain chemical agents that can easily hurt your gums.

For more information or assistance, contact specialists like Gregory T Grubba.