My Upper Denture Makes Me Gag
I hate my dentures so much. The worst part is the upper dentures. They make me gag and food gets under them. Is there any way to keep the stupid denture plate off of the roof of my mouth? I feel like I’m going mad.
Judi
Dear Judi,
I am sorry for all the trouble you’ve been having. A lot of people have had trouble with dentures. The move, food gets under them, and even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity. Then, of course, you have the problem of the gagging for those with a sensitive gag reflex.
However, there is an even bigger problem that comes with removable dentures. Once your teeth were removed your body began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone because it recognized you didn’t have any teeth roots in your mouth. Because of that it will use those minerals elsewhere in your body in order to be as efficient as possible with your body’s resources.
The problem you will face is that the more of your minerals it resorbs, the more your jawbone will shrink. In about ten or so years, there will no longer be enough of your jawbone left to keep in your dentures. This is especially true of your lower dentures.
The way to prevent this is by having dental implants placed in your jaw for implant supported dentures. These serve as prosthetic teeth and signal to your body that you still have teeth to preserve. Because of that it will leave the minerals and your jawbone intact.
Doing this with your upper arch is the same way that you can prevent the gagging you have been experiencing. Because your upper dentures will be held in by the implants instead of the suction it uses now, you will no longer need that hard denture plate to keep them in. Your upper arch will be completely free. Having dentures attached to dental implants is known as implant supported dentures and it will improve your quality of life dramatically. No gagging. No moving or shifting dentures. And, you’ll be able to eat anything you want to once again.
This blog is brought to you by an advanced dentist in Naples near High Point Country Club, Dr. Robert Bracho.
