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Archives for December 2025

My Upper Denture Is Making Me Gag

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I have a full set of dentures. The lower ones are fine, but the upper ones make me gag. Is there a solution to this?

Andrea

Dear Andrea,

Two denture plates, one adjusted The likely reason that you are having trouble with the upper denture is because of the denture plate. These have to be firm in order to give adequate structure to the support system.

The easiest way to take care of the gagging is by replacing the removable denture with implant supported dentures. In fact, I would highly recommend you do that for both your upper and lower arches. While your lower dentures are fine now, they won’t stay that way.

Your lower arch is held in place by sitting on your jawbone. However, the moment your teeth were removed, your body began resorbing the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. This results in your jawbone shrinking. After ten years or so, you will no longer be able to keep your lower dentures in place. This is known as facial collapse. Supporting them with dental implants will prevent your jawbone from shrinking.

If you can’t afford to get implants on both dentures, I would focus on getting them on the lower dentures in order to prevent facial collapse. I know you’re worried about the gagging your are experiencing with your upper dentures, but there may be a second solution for those.

A dentist in Lancashire, England came up with a procedure that has helped other patients in your situation. If you look at the image, you’ll notice that one of those has the plate cut back a bit. Usually they go all the way to the vibrating line. If it is trimmed back a bit, it could prevent the gagging you’ve been experiencing. It can’t be cut back too far or you will lose the suction you need.

This blog is brought to you by compassionate dentists in Auburn, AL Drs. Murphree and Yount.

Why Is Lemon Making My Teeth Look Worse?

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I was told that using lemon juice on my teeth every day when I brushed would help whiten them. It seemed to be working at first, but they seem to be worse than they were before. Do you know if there is a certain method to this?

Andrea

Dear Andrea,

Image of teeth bleaching trays

I am glad you wrote. It is actually the lemon that is the problem. I’m not sure who told you to use lemon juice when brushing your teeth, but they have not done you any favors. Lemon is a citrus, which is quite acidic. If you use it on your teeth, it will start off by making your teeth look at bit whiter because the acid will scrub off the stains, but it also etches your enamel, which then makes your teeth pick up stains faster.

It’s a bit like what happens to patients who are bulimic. The acid from when they purge eats away at their teeth until there is hardly any enamel left. I’m going to suggest that you stop using the lemon juice. The safest way to truly whiten your teeth is to do it with a dentist using professional strength teeth whitening gel.

I would see a dentist either way in order to have your enamel checked out. It would have taken a lot of brushing with the juice to do as much damage as would occur with bulimia.

If you’re enamel is very damaged, then there are cosmetic procedures which could both whiten your teeth and protect your enamel. The best cosmetic procedure is porcelain veneers. However, it is for more than just whitening. It would be more for a complete smile makeover which can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth all at the same time. If you want less than that, then I would talk to a good cosmetic dentist about your other options.

This blog is brought to you by skilled dentists in Auburn, AL Drs. Murphree and Yount.