Regarding dentures, you may think only the upper ones ever come loose. After all, couldn’t those easily fall due to gravity’s pull? Truthfully, though, lower dentures can also loosen over time. Indeed, it’s rather easy for these kinds to shift around if you aren’t careful. Fortunately enough, your local St. Augustine dentist is here with some help. Read on, then, to learn why you might have loose lower dentures and how best to fix them.
Why Won’t Your Lower Dentures Stay Still?
Perhaps surprisingly, bottom dentures have a reputation for being loose. They don’t have the luxury of adhering to a large, stationary surface. Consequently, they can shift due to things like:
A Negative Ridge
Your lower denture could stay in place with good bone height and width. That becomes even more likely if the relevant ridge is U-shaped.
Such a scenario, however, doesn’t always occur. Instead, perhaps your jawbone has severely deteriorated. In that case, you’d have a negative ridge that can’t properly support a denture. The prosthetic would then be loose much of the time.
Unaligned Denture Teeth
True enough, most bottom dentures are made to be stable and functional. The result is a restoration that generally just needs a bit of adhesive for extra security.
Still, sometimes a patient wants their denture teeth set in front of the ridge. They believe this change will lead to their lips looking fuller. Unfortunately, such a compromise comes at the expense of function. The final denture won’t let you eat or speak without it moving.
Tips for Keeping Lower Dentures Secure
As it happens, there are ways to make a lower denture more secure. Consider the tips below:
- Practice and Train – With continued practice, you can train your face and tongue muscles so they adjust to using dentures. All it takes is altering your eating and speaking habits to accommodate the appliance.
- Apply Denture Adhesive – Often enough, adhesives will help keep a bottom denture in place. Generally, three small dots will do. See a dental professional if the dentures don’t stay in with that much.
- Get Dental Implants – Often enough, adhesives will help keep a bottom denture in place. Generally, three small dots will do. See a dental professional if the dentures don’t stay in with that much.
Ultimately, loose lower dentures shouldn’t have to hold you back. Therefore, use the tips above and see your local dentist for aid. Your new smile is worth that effort!
About the Practice
Salt Run Family Dentistry is based in St. Augustine, FL. Led by Drs. Mickey Leth and Bert Tavary, our practice offers quality dental care in a comfortable environment. In particular, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency tooth procedures. You can thus rely on us for everything from dental checkups to dentures! For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (352)-622-3236.