Follow
Share

I had much trouble with temporary dentures throughout much of 2024. Mainly gagging despite constant trimming by the staff throughout the spring. I did finally go in and get the permanent ones in Oct. or Nov. But I still struggle to keep the bottom ones to stay in without gagging within a short time. I know that I can have them fix them more; but I'm really frustrated with the whole thing and regret having my teeth pulled.

Find Care & Housing
Sounds like your dentures are fitting incorrectly and should be looked at by your dentist. Who is this staff adjusting them? They should be working with your dentist.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Patathome01
Report

You can only go on from where you are. Since I had snaps added to my lower dentures so that they snap into implants in two locations, I find them very comfortable.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to dotwirth
Report

jvogler: Perhaps you are a candidate for dental implants.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

I think maybe it’s like glasses
how many people did I work with that got glasses then couldn’t adjust to them so abandoned them
i spoke to my dad years ago about it actually when he was telling me not to keep buying reading glasses go get my eyes checked properly and I told him about my work colleagues
his answer then was
glasses take a while to get used to
use them a little each day
that said he also added if problems still exist it’s prob down to the technician - glasses too strong ?
so used that for teeth
try a little daily and feel does it extend too far
maybe you are extra sensitive and need them adjusted better
maybe your dentist isn’t too great
tell them they’re making you gagg and can they adjust them
depending if any costs involved I’d speak to another dentist and get a second opinion

otherwise it looks like implants

no teeth and your mouth starts to shrink and cave in a bit so to speak
so if you can have teeth I’d aim for some !
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Jenny10
Report

I am a retired dental hygienist. Sadly, you have a right to regret having those teeth removed. Someone should have explained to you long before you reached that point that a lower denture doesn’t work, and here’s why. Full dentures stay in place by suction. The anatomy of the upper part of the mouth is more successful for that suction because the palate is more flat. A suction cup can stick to a window or other flat surface, but not to a corner. However, the lower jaw is shaped like a horseshoe, with the tongue in the center, moving constantly. A suction cannot occur on that surface. The only way you can have a lower denture that functions is to attach it to 4 implants that are placed in the bone, one on each side in the back, where the molars were, and one on each side where the pointy cuspid tooth had been. In order to achieve this, there has to be enough healthy bone available to support those implants. You should have been told all of this while you still had your teeth, but at this point, you can talk to an oral surgeon and/ or a prosthodontist to find out if you have any options now. Dentistry has failed you. But it took years to reach this stage. The disease process that caused this should have been addressed years ago. I used to advise my patients to discuss their long-term dental health goals with their dentist at age 40, to plan their care and budget accordingly. I am so sorry that you have this situation, but if implants are a possibility now, that would be your best option.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Katherine1953
Report

Oh, I'm so sorry you are struggling with your new dentures.

This is the fear that keeps me from having all my teeth pulled and replacing with dentures!

I don't have personal experience, but my husband, who had a stroke 10 years ago at age 53, had worn full dentures since he was 30. He was very comfortable with them, didn't use an adhesive. He credits the doctor who made them and fitted them immediately, while his gums were still healing. He said his swollen gums kind of molded to the dentures. After the stroke, he lacked the muscle control to keep them in place, and adhesives were not working.
He also had difficulty with chewing or swallowing safely.

So, for the last 10 years, I have kept his teeth out. I have them saved just in case.
Here are the foods he is able to "gum" and swallow easily without teeth:
Soft muffins or cake
Applesauce
Pudding
Yogurt
Creamed corn
anything you can easily mash with a fork
Canned fruit - get creative and try Apple or Cherry pie filling
Some crackers, like Ritz, and even Pringles, because they get soft in your mouth

You can use a food processor to mince more solid foods, like steak
Cut into pieces first, then process to a consistency that is acceptable to you,
you don't have to puree it into baby food!

I used to cut up a hamburger, including some of the bread (no pickles or vegs, though) and mince in a food processor for him. The same with Arby's roast beef sandwich - but you don't want to put any juice or any kind of condiments in the
food processor - that is what will turn it to mush! You want your ingredients pretty dry - you can top with condiments or gravy or sauce after.

Now, he's reached a point where he no longer wants food that I offer him.
He prefers his protein shakes. I make a batch every morning, about 12 cups in the blender, and I have to add a thickener for his swallowing.

I'm sorry to say, you may need to find a different dentist and have new dentures made. I'm sure this was a huge cost, but your dentist may not be very good.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to CaringWifeAZ
Report
Esther3 Dec 20, 2024
Very thorough and caring response
(0)
Report
They are called implants. Even to do your complete bottom you only need about 4 implants. Then you will have a permanent bridge for all your lower teeth. You can then do the same for your uppers.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to Sample
Report
lealonnie1 Dec 20, 2024
Not everyone is a candidate for implants. If there's been significant bone loss, it's a no go for any rods to be implanted.
(3)
Report
NO, the staff are the folks at the dental clinic. I'm told that I have to work with this company because my insurance will only cover the procedures once. They said that implants would be the only other alternative.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to jvogler
Report

NO, the staff are the folks at the dental clinic.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to jvogler
Report

It takes a LOT of patience, perseverance and willingness to keep dentures in your mouth ALL the time in order to get adjusted to them properly. Its easier to throw in the towel than to bear the aggravation, it seems. But the fact is, then you'll have no teeth and be unable to eat anything but soft foods.

It sounds to me either of 2 things is happening here. Either you have a VERY ramped up gag reflex, or, the dentures are too big for your mouth. There are a LOT of very bad dentists and labs out there, so the possibility the appliances are too big for your mouth and nobody realizes it are very good. I wear a full upper denture myself. If you could see the second set my dentist had made for me, you'd laugh as hard as I did. It looked like horse teeth. And he KNEW me. I'd asked for larger teeth bc the first set were too small, and these were huge. Ridiculous. I left his office and rejected the denture. I went instead to a denture place that ONLY made dentures and had a lab on site. So any adjustments were made on the spot. Night and day difference. The first try the denture was perfect. It required no adjustments at all. It was 50% lighter weight than the one I had been wearing. Just an incredibly well made appliance vs a piece of junk. But I didn't realize the original one was bad until I had a better one. Much like a first husband.....🤣

Don't give up. Find out from a place that makes dentures and has an on site lab if these fit right? If they are too heavy? If they are female teeth (mine were male!), etc. Let a pro tell you why you're having such issues.

If worse comes to worse and it's your gag issue that can't be fixed, just wear the uppers. Lower dentures are notoriously difficult in general. You can still chew w/o the lowers. If they move around too much and that's an issue, there's a product called Cushion Grip you can get at Wal Mart or Amazon that's a reliner material. You press it into the crevice of the denture and it WILL NOT come out for a few days. Its like cement 😂 It can also be used with an upper denture, but not until it gets loose. Super Poligrip Power Max is the best. A little bit keeps that puppy in place for 12 hrs.

Wishing you the best of luck with a difficult situation.
Helpful Answer (9)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report
cover9339 Dec 11, 2024
Reminds me of an older lady that had ill fitting dentures, they were crooked when she laughed/smiled and made her face into a scowl when her mouth was closed
(0)
Report
See 2 more replies
By staff, do you mean you're in a facility and the nursing staff (or aids) are doing the trimming?

If so, you need to be seen by an actual dentist as they obviously don't know what they're doing. You need to see the dentist before the staff trims them beyond fixing.

If you're not in a facility, then go to a different dentist.

There's no reason you should be suffering with that problem.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Geaton777
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter