There's A Crack In Your Denture: 3 Reasons Not To Reach For Household Adhesive
Even the most seasoned denture wearer can get a case of the clumsy fingers and drop them. What can make your heart sink though is seeing a new crack in the denture once you pick it back up. As a person living paycheck to paycheck, you may be tempted to try to fix your denture yourself by using household adhesives you have in your drawers. But, before you pick up a tube of superglue, there are three important reasons why you should be picking up the phone to call your denturist instead.
No Second Chance
If you have ever accidentally stuck your fingers together with superglue while using it to repair a household item, you know that you get no second chances once the glue starts to bond.
A denturist can repair many denture cracks, but if you get it wrong while trying to do the task yourself, there is no guarantee the repairer can undo your work.
Not All Adhesives Are Safe Around Food
Putting superglue onto an object that is going to go into your mouth is not a wise decision. Superglue is made up of cyanoacrylate which is an acrylic resin. Putting cyanoacrylate into your mouth doesn't sound particularly appealing.
Additionally, putting untested glue into your mouth which is a damp, moist environment is of concern. With food and saliva washing over the fixed crack regularly, there is no telling what type of reaction could take place. Small particles of the glue may wear away and contaminate the food you are swallowing, which could irritate your stomach lining if enough of it is ingested.
The Denture May Still Have Small Gaps Or Bumps In The Crack
When you put the denture back together, there is a chance you might leave a small gap or bump in the denture. A bump on the denture can rub against the roof of your mouth and lead to damaged tissue and swelling. Even if the repair job looks perfect, there is no guarantee the denture still follows the exact contours of your mouth.
Talk to your denturist as soon as you can after the accident has occurred to arrange for them to have a close look at the denture. They can then give advice on what sort of repair is necessary and how much it will cost. Some denturists may be able to provide a payment plan option for you, which is a far better option than putting household adhesives into your mouth.
