My elderly mom's dentures keep falling out even with adhesive.Can you fix them or do you replace them? What $?

I wish you well with this. Often, as people lose weight, their teeth don't fit well and they have problems. Perhaps you can have a denture place reline them and make them fit better?

Often, dentists and denture places don't recommend replacing dentures at that age, it is really hard for the person to adjust to the new teeth.

I would try the relining at the denture place first, cheaper and may be all they need?

I think it is good that you are concerned that your mom may not be eating enough because of her poorly fitting dentures. Being elderly doesn't mean that we should suffer when we try to eat. It is likely that the bone and soft tissues in your mother's mouth have changed greatly over the last 20 years; and so her dentures may not come close to fitting any more. When is the last time she was seen by a dentist? I highly recommend that you help her find a way to get a dental exam.

One resource for dentures is "Affordable Dentures"

Affordable Dentures

1-800-DENTURE (1-800-336-8873)

http://www.affordabledentures.com/

It isn't easy to find resources to pay for dentures; but with a little work you may be able to find help. First thing to check; can family members contribute towards the cost of the dentures? Instead of giving your mom 'presents' throughout the year, would your family members be willing to chip in towards new dentures?

You could also check with your local social service agencies and charities. Try contacting your Local Area Agency on Aging, senior centers, department of elder affairs or similar state agency. These agencies typically have caseworkers who can work with you and your mom to see if she is eligible for any public assistance to get dental care. There are charity, non-profit, and religious groups in some locations that might be able to help pay for dental care; try contacting your local 2-1-1 or other referral service.

Take her and her dentures back to the dentist so that he/she can see what the fitting is like. There might be the possibility of an adjustment that could be made which would be much cheaper than replacement dentures. No dental procedure is cheap but she won't eat properly (with solids) until they are done. In the meantime could you change her diet so that she still eats nourishing food but in liquid or semi-liquid form,

I once had to puree my husbands food for several months. He ate exactly what we had but it was just put through the blender first. That way the person's health should not deteriorate.

Yes. She can have them relined. There is a product she can buy in the drug store called "Cushion Grip." I've used it ever since I started wearing dentures. They say you're not supposed to use it for a long period of time, but I've used it for over 30 years. After a few days you just take the old cushion out and replace it. I couldn't get by without it.

Obviously,they are long overdue for refitting or even a new set of dentures. I know exactly how expensive that is and sadly,at your mother's age,I'm not sure it could be done. Don't laugh,but I flushed my lower plate down the toilet just a few months before I had a brain aneurysm and was forced to retire. It left me with no dental insurance. That was 7 years ago. I've been existing on just my upper plate. If you can try other means of holding her upper plate in,it really is possible to eat quite well with just the upper. God bless you for caring for your mother and give her a hug for me.

My mom had this problem also (she was 80). The gum tissues shrink so the teeth don't fit like they use to. We just used a denture paste when she needed to eat. Her old ones could not be patched and we had to waste money on a new set. She died soon afterwards. The dentist recommended Fixodent.

You can have the dentures relined or there are kits you may purchase

and do this your self.

Have no idea as to professional cost of reline.

If the reline did not work perfectly then you may use the adhesive

to keep them seated.

You might solicit assistance from local groups to accomplish the reline.

good luck----and bless you for caring-----

At that age I wouldn't want new one, she can have them re-lined for about 100 bucks or a little more than that, and Medicare does not pay for it either..