Your dentures should fit snugly but comfortably on your gum tissue. They should be secure enough that you do not worry about them becoming destabilized when you eat and speak. But what if your lower denture keeps slipping out of place? That can be a frustrating and uncomfortable problem. This blog post explains what might be causing the issue and suggests a few potential solutions.
Why Does Your Lower Denture Keep Slipping?
In most cases, a denture slips out of place because it does not fit properly. There are a few possible reasons why your prosthetic may not fit correctly, including:
- Changes to your bone structure. After your natural teeth were removed, your body started a process known as resorption. Essentially, it has been gradually breaking down your jawbone because the natural tooth roots are no longer there to stimulate it. Over time, this can cause the jaw to become significantly smaller.
- Damage to your denture. If dentures are exposed to hot liquids, they may warp. They can also break if they are dropped on a hard surface.
- Low-quality dentures. Sadly, many patients end up dissatisfied with the fit of “bargain” dental prosthetics.
In some cases, a denture may slip out of place even if it fits well. This might happen to you if your denture is brand new and you are still in the process of adapting to it.
What Can You Do About a Slipping Lower Denture?
There are a handful of potential solutions for a slipping lower denture:
- Ask about a reline. During a reline, your dental team can add material to the base of your denture so that it will have a snugger fit.
- Try adhesive. For most people, natural suction is adequate to keep their denture secure. For some people, though, a dab of adhesive is necessary.
- Consider that you need a new denture. If your dentures are damaged, of low quality, or more than 5 years old, it might be wise to invest in an entirely new prosthetic.
- Talk to your dentist about implant dentures. Implant dentures are held in the mouth by prosthetic tooth roots, which are surgically placed in the jawbone. Therefore, they are extremely sturdy and come with almost zero risk of slipping out of place.
A slipping lower denture is inconvenient and embarrassing! Applying the suggestions in this blog post may help your teeth to stay where they belong.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Shayan Azimi and Scott Ludlow are proud to provide the Dallas community with comprehensive oral health treatment. Our practice offers top-quality dentures, denture maintenance services, and dental implants. If you are struggling with a poorly fitting denture, we are ready to help you identify the cause of the problem and find an effective solution. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact Arts Family Dentistry of Dallas at 469-981-1700.
