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Question:  Can you use baking soda to clean your dentures?

Jan 04, 2012 12:04 pm

This is not a good idea because baking soda is abrasive. Denture cleansers without abrasives are made to clean your dentures. To learn about proper denture care visit the American College of Prosthodontists online at www.prosthodontics.org.

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Question:  I have had a top denture for almost 2 years, my mouth stays dry and I have developed a habit of sucking on top denture It is embarrassing when I am in public. I use biotene products every day and suck on sugarless candy. The sucking habit is worse when I am tired or extremely stressed. My dentist says he doesn't know what to do because the denture fits fine. Please help me before I become a prisoner in my home. Thanks

Jan 04, 2012 12:04 pm

If you have “dry mouth” you should consult with a prosthodontist for proper care. Dry mouth is a problem that requires careful management by you and your dentist or prosthodontist. To learn more about a prosthodontist or to find a prosthodontist near you visit www.gotoapro.org.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists

Question:  My mother is 85 and needs her 28 year old dentures re-lined. Would a home kit work or should she just find a dental office that does this? Thanks, Valerie

Jan 04, 2012 12:03 pm

It is not suggested that a denture be relined at home. In some cases, the soft tissues will have a need for conditioning before any reline is done. Only a dentist who is trained to examine and recognize abnormal tissue should accomplish the reline. The use of reline materials at home is not considered safe as dentures can lock in to undercuts of the jaw making removal difficult and painful. You may also want to seek the care of a prosthodontist, a dentist with three years of training beyond dental school who specializes in the care and maintenance of dentures. To locate a prosthodontist near you visit www.gotoapro.org.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists

Question:  My wife's teeth broke off the anchor support, can they be reattached or repaired, fixture is referred as Flapper., She suffers from Dementia does she have to be present, its difficult to get her out? John W Kent,Wa,

Jan 04, 2012 12:02 pm

The best solution for your broken denture is returning to the dentist to repair it properly. While there are denture repair kits available in drugstores, it is difficult or nearly impossible to fix a broken denture properly using these kits. The temptation to use “super-glues” that might be available commercially should be avoided as well as some of these glues are not safe to have present in your mouth. The best advice is to return to your dentist for the repair.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists

Question:  Is there any way to avoid food from collecting all over the front of my dentures, after eating at a restaurant, picnic, wedding, etc. when a tooth brush and water isn't convenient? I do not have a problem with cleaning and soaking my teeth over night.

Jan 04, 2012 12:01 pm

Food debris may accumulate on your dentures and between your dentures and your gums. Drinking plenty of water while you eat may help to reduce the food on the denture, but many denture wearers often excuse themselves after a meal to rinse off their dentures. If your dentures are relatively new and fit well, you may apply a small amount of denture adhesive to help “seal” the denture and reduce movement of the denture as you chew. If you choose to use denture adhesive, only apply three or four pea-sized dabs to each of the upper and lower denture. To learn how to properly apply denture adhesive visit http://www.prosthodontics.org/patients/dentures.asp.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists

Question:  will i have problems with my dentures falling out

Jan 04, 2012 12:00 pm

If you have good bone support and a favorable shape to your jaws, it is possible to use dentures without adhesive. However, in most cases dental adhesives can still improve the retention and stability of your dentures as long as it is used according to instructions. If you notice that you are having to use more adhesive to hold your dentures in place than you did several years ago, of if they do not chew your food as efficiently as they used to, they should be checked by your dentist or prosthodontist, a specialist in denture care and maintenance. We recommend that you see your dentist or prosthodontist once a year to have your dentures checked, professionally cleaned, and to examine the health of your gum tissues. To locate a prosthodontist near you visit www.gotoapro.org.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists