If you have dentures, they should hold up well for many years with proper cleaning, care, and maintenance. Sometimes, things happen and your dentures might chip, crack, or break. If this happens, don't panic. There are some things you can do to help temporarily remedy the problem until you can get to your dentist.

If the Tooth Broke or Fell Off

If the tooth that is held in your dentures has broken or fallen off, this is something you may be able to fix yourself, at least for a while. Dentists use a professional-grade acrylic glue to reattach the tooth to the denture fitting, but if you're in a bind or you think you can live with a temporary fix, there are options. You can purchase a special kit at most drugstores that are made especially for denture repair. Before you put your missing tooth back onto the dentures, be sure to fully clean and dry it. Then apply a small dab of superglue and hold it firm for about one to two minutes. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a permanent fix. You should always consult your dentist if you encounter a missing or broken tooth so they can provide you with a permanent solution.

Types of Adhesives for Loose Dentures

There are a few different types of denture adhesives you can purchase that will help keep your dentures fitting well if they've become loose over time, which they can tend to do. 

• Dry powder: This form of adhesive must be applied to wet dentures, but it creates a tight and firm bond.
• Paste: Inexpensive and relatively effective, this form of adhesive is the most popular for denture wearers. It should be applied to dry dentures. 
• Strips: These can be cut to any size and come with an adhesive already on them. This method is very easy to use, but might not be the longest lasting choice.

If the Dentures Have Cracked

More severe instances of denture problems can occur if the denture itself has cracked or completely broken into pieces. If this happens, you should never attempt to fix it yourself. Using glue or repair kits will not work, since dentures must be repaired and fitted to be exactly the same size and shape that they were originally. If the repaired dentures are not an exact match to the original, it can cause pain and everything will be uneven. Your natural bite will also be off-kilter. If you have a cracked denture, it is imperative that you contact your dentist as soon as possible so that they can assist you with repairing them the right way. 

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