[Dysphagia] dentures

[eripley at yahoo.com (Irene Campbell-Taylor)]

There is a common misperception that weight loss is related to denture fitting. Since there is no fat on the hard palate, this is not the case. The fact of altered fitting is most important because it is caused by dry mouth that can be a result of medications or, more importantly, dehydration. Upper dentures are held in place only by the suction exerted by saliva - much like the stickers on toys one sticks to windows. Children (and others) lick them first, then press on the glass. The same principle applies to dentures, certainly uppers. Lowers tend not to fit very well at the best of times as there is not sufficient concave surface to maintain suction.

Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
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