The Side Effects of Denture Adhesives

Dentures are often used to restore proper chewing function to people who have lost their teeth due to trauma or poor oral hygiene. Dentists get a mold of the patient’s mouth in order to duplicate the original teeth, thereby allowing them to create comfortable dentures. Over time, however, the jaw may shrink and cause the dentures to fit loosely.

One of the most common ways of dealing with this dilemma is by using denture adhesives, which are creams, pads or powders applied to dentures so they can cling securely to the gums or the palate. Care should be taken on excessive use as many adhesives contain zinc and may lead to inhibition of the body’s copper absorption. A decline in the body’s copper supply can cause serious nerve damage, especially to the hands and feet. Copper deficiency also decreases the number of red and white blood cells and makes people more susceptible to infection.

People can opt to get denture implants in order to avoid untoward side effects of denture adhesives and to get the best fit possible. A number of small titanium posts are embedded into the jaw and allowed to integrate naturally into the bone. Once fully healed, the patient’s dentures are modified so they can snap securely onto the posts, obviating the need for adhesive creams.